Martin Allen pulled no punches in his assessment of Barnet’s 4-1 home defeat to Exeter City on Saturday and took responsibility for the loss.

The Bees made a bright start and went in front on 11 minutes when John Akinde nodded home Ryan Watson’s corner.

But Barnet were unable to build on their advantage and, minutes before half time, Jake Taylor lashed home from 25 yards to send the sides in level at half time.

The Grecians scored twice in quick succession in the second period, Lee Holmes and Chris Wheeler on target for the visitors to leave Barnet facing an uphill struggle.

And, late on, Reuben Reid converted from the penalty spot following a questionable spot kick award to wrap up the points.

Speaking afterwards, Allen said: “It was a very disappointing result. Up until they got their equaliser for 1-1 I thought we played very well. 

“It wasn’t spectacular to watch but it was a good, disciplined, hard-working Barnet team. And then in the second half I thought we were very poor.

“Jamal Campbell-Ryce had a calf problem which is why he had to come off straight away – it wasn’t right.

“But that’s no excuse. It’s my responsibility for that second half. I put them out there and I train them so it’s my responsibility and I didn’t think it was very good. 

“I certainly didn’t enjoy watching that.”

Barnet struggled to get going in the second half and, asked what went wrong, Allen said: “There is no doubt there is some anxiety when you haven’t won for a little while. 

“But there were some good performances. I thought Michael Nelson played very well, so did Harry Taylor. 

“Sam Muggleton did well – in possession as well as on his long throws. Mauro Vilhete was outstanding. So there are some positives to come out of it.

“Next week we are going to see a little bit of a different Barnet team and we will change things round a bit now.”

Allen added: “I suppose this is what I’ve always done when I’ve come to Barnet: address things, deal with things and make Barnet teams hard to beat.

“At the moment we’re too easy to beat, we’re not challenging, we’re not working hard enough and we’re not showing enough fighting spirit. It’s not really a Barnet team in my style.”