An early goal from John Akinde helped Barnet to a 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town this afternoon.

The striker leapt above the Stags’ defence to head home his 20th goal of the season on five minutes, but the home side found their way back into the match as the first half progressed.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe equalised with a powerful drive on the half hour mark, as both sides played out a pulsating encounter at Field Mill.

Barnet took the lead with the first clear chance of the match – Akinde latching onto a lofted pass from Michael Gash, before heading past the advancing Scott Shearer and into the net. 

Sam Muggleton shot from the edge of the six yard box two minutes later, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner by Malvind Benning. 

A long range drive from Akinde flew narrowly wide of the left post with a quarter of an hour played, as Barnet had the better of the game’s opening exchanges. 

Mansfield levelled things up when Dieseruvwe skipped in the area and powered a shot into the top right corner on 30 minutes. 

The home side could have taken the lead a minute later when Matt Green headed over the bar from just three yards out. 

Adam Chapman then headed narrowly wide of the right post with five minutes of the half to play, as Mansfield looked much improved following their equaliser.  

The early stages of the second half was short of clear cut chances, with the first real effort on goal arriving in the 61st minute.

Substitute Luke Gambin played a one-two with Akinde, before darting into the box and forcing Shearer into a low save with his feet. 

Green responded by heading Benning’s pinpoint cross wide of the right post on 65 minutes. 

The former Birmingham City forward then attempted to lob Stephens, but his shot missed the target and nestled into the side netting.

Bondz N’Gala headed Gambin’s 74th minute corner agonisingly wide of the right post, with both side’s going in search of a winner.

Stephens had to be at his best a minute later – tipping Chapman’s powerful free kick over the crossbar.

Barnet’s keeper saved Reggie Lambe’s deflected shot in the 87th minute, ensuring that the Bees headed back to North London with a share of the points. 

Next up for Martin Allen’s men is the final home match of the season versus Yeovil Town on Saturday.