The first chance of the game fell the way of Barnet in the 12th minute when Callum Burton pulled off a great save to deny Charlee Adams’ floating effort from sneaking into the top left corner.
In the 19th minute, the Proact united in a minutes applause for Chris East on the day that would’ve been his 22nd Birthday, Barnet certainly gave him a performance he would’ve been proud of.
A flurry of half-chances for the hosts came and went, Kyel Reid and Laurence Maguire both shooting wide before just after the half hour, Robbie Wier’s dipping effort was excellently tipped over the bar by Mark Cousins.
Tutonda would go on barnstorming run shortly before the break and his eventual effort after a one-two with Byron Harrison was deflected wide.
After halftime, an Elliott Johnson free-kick was well headed on by Harrison into the path of Jack Barham, he instinctively flicked it goalwards but was denied by Burton.
Maguire had a powerful effort parried by Cousins and it had to be hooked clear by Adams. Former Bee Curtis Weston volleyed at goal from the edge of the box on the hour mark but Cousins got behind it to stop.
Wes Fonguck delivered a low cross into the path of Barham who opted to turn and shoot despite having Cheye Alexander for company and his effort went wide.
Birthday boy Ephron Mason-Clark had a go from 25 yards but it didn’t trouble Burton.
With 20 minutes to go, Dan Sweeney raced back to clear Chigozi Ugwu’s effort off of the line.
Substitute Shaq Coulthirst set up David Tutonda who hesitated several times before finally taking aim but his low shot was saved.
Burton would again deny the Bees from taking the lead when Dan Sweeney flicked on Elliott Johnson’s low drive and it struck the Chesterfield ‘keeper square in his face.
As much as Barnet pressed and pressed in what was their best performance of the season, it just didn’t look like they would find a way to score. That was until a little bit of magic from Jack Taylor.
The substitute was given time to rocket a shot high into the top left corner of the goal, an effort that left Burton rooted to his spot and sent the travelling Bees fans into sheer delirium.
The danger wasn’t over though as in the four minutes of stoppage time, a Sam Muggleton long throw found it’s way to the far post but there was a clear infringement on Cousins in the process so Zavon Hines’ tap-in was disallowed.
With the last action of the game, Muggleton’s diving header was well saved by Cousins and Barnet picked up their first win of the season and first clean sheet since the opening day.
BARNET – Cousins, Alexander, Johnson, Robson, Adams, Harrison, Fonguck, Tutonda, Sweeney, Mason-Clark (J. Taylor 73), Barham (Coulthirst 69)
Unused- Matrevics, Sparkes, Payne
Attendance – 4,685 (134 Barnet)
Referee – David Rock
John Still’s post match reaction:
https://www.facebook.com/196807243676755/posts/2127341113956682/
