Barnet’s Development Squad put in an impressive performance in a 1-3 loss to Cardiff City at Underhill.

The Bees dominated the first-half and went into the break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of fine header from an Alan Robertson after just four minutes.

After failing to extend their lead the Bees were punished in the second-half by a revitalised City side who scored two goals in nine minutes.

The away side started on the front foot and they should have taken the lead with two minutes on the clock when Rhys Healey shot straight at Dillon Barnes from four-yards. 

Two minutes later the Bees went in front when Robertson got on the end of a Ben Coker free-kick to head past Elliott Parish. 

From the restart the Blue Birds almost drew level when Healey was played through on goal but he was again denied by Barnes. 

With 15 minutes played Dominic Vose may have extended the home side’s lead but after a neat one-two with Jamal Lowe he saw his shot blocked.

Lowe was in the thick of it once more as the Bees went close again after good work from Iffy Allen allowed George Sykes to shoot but his effort bobbled inches wide.

The away side’s best chance of the half came out of nothing as Harris sent shot inches past the post from 30-yards.

After the break the home side continued to impress but after Josh Yerworth fired over and a corner hit the post they drew level when Healey fired past Barnes.

Goalkeeper Barnes enjoyed a fine afternoon between the sticks and he thwarted the Cardiff attack again on 62 minutes when Healey shot from close-range. 

Three minutes later the Bees almost retook the lead but Parish was equal to Jamal Lowe’s powerful strike.

With 21 minutes remaining the Bees switched off and they were punished as Healey’s long throw was headed home by the unmarked Harris.

Velikonja, who cost the away side more than £1 million last summer, was left frustrated for much of the afternoon but after somehow missing from five-yards he made it 3-1 when Filip Kiss dispossessed Jordan Buck and played him in.

The last ten minutes saw Barnet push forward in search of a second but the standout moment came when Barnes leapt across goal to keep out Yerwerth’s header.