Keanu Marsh-Brown inspired Barnet to a 2-0 win over Hereford United as Martin Allen celebrated his return with three points at The Hive.
Marsh-Brown was mesmerising throughout opening the scoring directly from a corner before curling a sensational second into the top corner nine minutes later.
Barnet had numerous chances to make it 3-0 and kill the game but the away side rarely threatened as the Bees held on to end a run four successive Skrill Premier defeats.
Martin Allen made changes for his first match back in the managerial hot seat with new signing James Harper being named in starting XI. Elliot Johnson also returned with Mauro Vilhete pushing up to play on the left wing as Barnet reverted to 4-4-2 formation with Jon Nurse and Harry Crawford leading the line.
The Bees started at pace with Curtis Weston and Marsh-Brown both testing the Hereford backline from range as Allen’s side controlled possession in the middle with Nurse leading the line superbly to provide the perfect outlet.
With 13 minutes on the clock the home side took a deserved lead as Marsh-Brown’s corner curled directly in at the back post to register the first goal of Allen’s tenure and the winger’s first goal since the November 26th.
Nine minutes later it was 2-0 as Nurse again won the ball in the air heading the ball wide to Vilhete, he passed back inside to Marsh-Brown who took one touch before curling a stunning effort past Daniel Lloyd-Weston from 20-yards.
Chances continued to fall for the Bees who were desperately unlucky not to make it 3-0 when Lloyd-Weston’s superb stop denied Crawford’s powerful half-volley.
Nick Jupp was rarely tested but after a tough evening at Macclesfield the goalkeeper remained composed throughout and did well to stop Sam Smith’s low shot in the closing stages of the first-half.
The Bees made a change at the break with Luke Gambin replacing Crawford but the second 45 continued in the same manor as Allen’s side continued their search for a decisive third goal.
Scorer of both goals Marsh-Brown was replaced in the 58th minute as the Hereford rearguard were finally relieved from a torrid time against the England C winger who looks to have rediscovered his sensational early season form.
Three minutes later the Bees were forced into a final change when Jack Saville replaced Johnson after left-back dislocated his thumb.
Second-half substitute Gambin was given his Bees debut by Allen and he almost repaid the boss’ faith with a goal but Chris Bush cleared his low shot off the line after the winger stayed on his feet under pressure and slotted past Lloyd-Weston.
The final stages of the match saw little action but Barnet didn’t mind one bit as they got back to winning ways following four consecutive defeats.
Attendance: 1, 497 (197 away)
