Barnet’s play-off aspirations were kept alive as Connor Dymond’s stunning 70th minute strike helped secure a 1-1 draw against Cambridge United. 

The FA Trophy winners opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Josh Gillies converted past Nick Jupp from the spot after Mark Byrne fouled Delano Sam-Yorke in the box.

Jake Hyde returned from injury and the forward had chances but it was substitute Connor Dymond who stole the headlines when he lashed the ball into the top corner with 20 minutes remaining. 

The first opportunity of the match fell to Martin Allen’s side when Mauro Vilhete found Jon Nurse in the box and forward turned well before shooting just wide.  

With five minutes played the U’s created their first chance when Josh Coulsen’s cross deflected off David Stephens and on target but Jupp was alert to produce a superb stop.

17 minutes later the Bees gave away a sloppy penalty when Byrne pulled Sam-Yorke’s shirt in the box and, despite the forward finding the net, the referee pointed to the spot.

Gillies stepped up to face Jupp but although the goalkeeper got a hand to the ball the power of Gillies’ effort took the ball into the top corner to make it 1-0. 

With 31 minutes played Marsh-Brown was inches away from scoring his third goal in less than two games but his 35-yard pile-driver whistled over Siegrest and over crossbar.

Three minutes later the Bees made a change with Connor Dymond replacing Byrne who returned from injury to face the U’s. 

Hyde and Marsh-Brown failed to hit the target in the final five minutes of the half with a Vilhete cross drifting agonisingly across the line to safety as Cambridge hung on to enter the break with a 1-0 lead. 

After spending much of the first-half under pressure the home side made a strong start to the second period but Jupp continued his impressive performance to deny Luke Chadwick with 51 minutes played.

The U’s continued to march forward in search of a decisive second goal but the Bees’ goalkeeper continued to keep Allen’s side in the game with a string of fine stops. 

With 70 minutes played the Bees were peppering the U’s back like with shot after shot and finally they were rewarded as substitute Dymond stepped up to lash the ball home from just outside the box and send the 606 travelling Bees into pandemonium. 

Allen’s side were rarely troubled in the final 20 minutes of the game dominating proceedings with the U’s penned into their own half. 

Despite a strong finale to the game the Bees were unable to find a winner but they leave the Abbey Stadium content with a hard fought point, an impressive performance and the return of Jake Hyde who played the full 90 minutes.