Barnet clinched another memorable victory on the road, with Kabongo Tshimanga’s second half strikes sealing a 2-1 win over Tranmere Rovers on Saturday afternoon in Sky Bet League Two.
Despite trailing through Will Vaulks’ first half effort, it was Barnet who continued their unbeaten run which now stretches back 18 league games.
Barnet started bright with Zac Williams and Tom Knowles combing well, only for Charlie Lakin’s eventual effort to be weak.
However, as the first half progressed it certainly turned into a battle at Prenton Park and after consecutive corners for the Bees it was Tranmere who took the lead.
Experienced midfielder Vaulks on 22 minutes producing a moment of quality, with a stunning right-footed strike which cannoned past Matthew Cox into the top corner.
And it was down to Dean Brennan’s side to look for a response – Knowles’ awkward right-handed cross seemingly tipped over the bar by Harrison Male in the Tranmere goal, only for it to have travelled out before it reached the keeper.
A clash of heads for Danny Collinge late in the first half saw him receiving treatment, ultimately meaning the Bees would be momentarily down to ten and Tranmere were keen to capitalise, with Charlie Whitaker creating space before firing wide.
Before the break, Idris Kanu would go down in the box, but the referee would wave play on.
Ensuring the hosts would lead at the break.
HALF TIME
Boss Brennan would once again be quick to make changes at the interval, Romoney Crichlow and Nnamdi Ofoborth replacing Zac Williams and Tom Knowles and it would have the desired effect.
A chance on 47 minutes for Tshimanga would eventually see him putting his effort wide but would only whet the appetite for what would come eight minutes later.
A smart passing move would see the ball moving from defence into attack in a matter of seconds, with it eventually finding Lakin whose shot fell into the path of Tshimanga who calmly headed home for the games’ leveller and his sixth of the campaign.
With the momentum certainly with Barnet, the Bees felt aggrieved when Lakin was tripped in the box three minutes later.
But chances on goal would keep coming, Lakin and Kanu combining well, but the No.11 finding himself at an awkward angle before shooting wide.
However, it certainly wasn’t all one-way traffic with Brennan’s side having Nik Tavares to thank with a heroic block denying Ryan Watson from the edge of the box.
This would certainly set it up for a dramatic finish at Prenton Park with both sides pushing for the elusive winner.
And once again it was to be Barnet’s afternoon on 87 minutes.
Lakin breaking and cutting in before being brought down at the vital moment, with the referee pointing to the spot.
Tshimanga would take control, step up and calmly dink the ball home, 2-1!
But it wasn’t to be all positive for the Bees, substitute Crichlow would be part of a tough challenge with Joel Senior, the latter receiving a second yellow card, with Crichlow ultimately being stretchered off and replaced by Jake Reeves.
However, the Bees would remain strong and after a lengthy delay would hold onto the victory.
Barnet are back in action on Tuesday evening, as we welcome Swindon Town to the Hive.
Barnet XI: Cox, Collinge, Senior, Tavares (Kenlock 83’), Williams (Crichlow45’/Reeves 90’), Comley, Knowles (Ofoborh 45’) Gallagher, Lakin, Kanu (Ajayi 76’), Tshimanga.
Subs not used: Haralambous, Smith
