An Aaron McLean strike wasn’t enough to see Barnet return to The Hive with any points in the bag, despite dominating much of the match against high-flying Plymouth Argyle.

Curtis Weston dribbled into the Plymouth penalty area on the half hour mark, playing the ball across to McLean who rifled home his pinpoint pass.

Argyle equalised in the 53rd minute when Graham Carey lashed an unstoppable strike past Max Crocombe in the Bees goal, following some good hold-up play from Rueben Reid.

The Pilgrims then scored the winner through Jake Jervis; putting the finishing touch on Gregg Wylde’s darting run and cross on 61 minutes. 

The result was less than Barnet deserved, and the Bees had the better of a first half short on clear-cut chances.

Luke Gambin looked to have been tripped in the box after 16 minutes following a well-worked exchange with Weston, but the referee booked the winger for diving. 

Following McLean’s goal, Crocombe had to be at his best to keep Barnet ahead at the break; the on loan keeper got down smartly to keep out Reid just before half time.

The turning point of the match came on 51 minutes when John Akinde found himself one-on-one with Pilgrims goalkeeper Ross McCormick, but his effort cannoned back off the right hand post.

Mauro Vilhete and Michael Gash attempted to fire home from the resulting rebound, but neither could find the net. 

That goal could have put Barnet out of sight, but within 10 minutes the Bees found themselves a goal down and chasing the game. 

Barnet pushed for an equaliser, and their best chance came in stoppage time when Vilhete’s deflected shot came off the cross bar and was cleared by the Plymouth defence.

A draw would have been no more than the Bees deserved, but they now travel to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday hoping that a similarly positive performance will be rewarded with more points on the board.