Martin Allen was pleased with his team’s performance against Crawley Town, but feels that the Bees were unlucky not to come away with all three points.

Speaking after the game, Martin said:

“It’s difficult to understand how we didn’t win that game quite comfortably. 

“We had chances galore in the first half – without a doubt they were going to come back a bit in the second half, but our keeper only had one save to make before they scored.

“After that it was non-stop and it was just a case of waiting for us to score. 

“Mauro Vilhete had a chance cleared off the line from outside of the box and had another one at the far post. 

“Michael Nelson and Bira Dembele had headers from corners cleared off the line, but we just couldn’t get it in. 

“I suppose you could say that you’ve got to give Crawley some credit for defending their goal line so well and with so much passion. 

“But it was a very strong performance from our Barnet team, we just didn’t manage to get it into the goal. 

“The problem and worry for a manager or a supporter is if you’re not getting chances. 

“We’re creating lots of chances – we had lots of them on Tuesday as well and didn’t win. 

“I suppose it has come to something when we now come away from home and are disappointed not to have won. 

“I thought we played well today and it’s full credit to all the players for a good performance right the way through the match. 

“I am disappointed that we didn’t win the game, but I am pleased with our effort, control, and the way that the team is adapting to this division now. 

“We’ve still got our unbeaten record this season, and I include the games in pre-season in that as well – against Oxford, Gillingham, Ipswich and a couple of others that we beat.

“I wanted to get into a habit of winning games, being dominant and being strong during pre-season. 

“Now here we are, disappointed not to have come here and won.”

Looking ahead to next week’s match against Carlisle United, Martin said:

“We’ll do what we always do; we always give our players plenty of rest, because they have to work extremely hard when they come into work.

“They’re a very fit team as we’ve seen today.

“The home side came back to 1-1, but for the last 15 minutes the whole game was played up by their goal. 

“They can keep going physically and mentally. 

“Once again there will be some quiet days and some days of hard work.

“After those days they get plenty of rest – that’s why we’re so fit. 

“There are some good players that are perhaps unfortunate not to have had a chance to play today, after they have trained and tried so hard. 

“That is difficult for them and for me, because they’re good people that I like. 

“But this group of players deserve to play and have earned the right to play.”