Barnet Ladies suffered a 1-0 defeat in their penultimate match at Underhill.

Chloe Gunn got the all important goal with half an hour to play and despite a good reaction to going behind the Bees were unable to breech the Hornets’ defence. 

Watford made a bright start to the match and tested debutant Megan Wordington after just one minute when Sarah Wiltshire shot on goal.

With five minutes played Watford received a free-kick following a Holly Sandow handball that Wiltshire curled narrowly past the post. 

Moments later Renne Hector failed to control the ball inside the box but Gemma Rudman was unable to capatlise. 

As the half wore on the Hornets began to dominate with Cally Rowell playing in Wilshire who fired wide before Katie Natkiel’s 25-yard strike landed on the roof of the net.

The Bees came close to an opening with 35 minutes played when Leane Reidy found Laura Miller whose flick almost reached Renate Innis. 

Natkiel and Wiltshire proved to pose the most threat to the Barnet defence but Sally Wade and Worthington held firm to deny both before the break.

After playing up the slope in the first-half the Bees were hoping to have more luck playing down hill after the break but it was the visitors who started on the front foot. With six minutes of the half played Natkiel fired in a cross for Wiltshire who found Josie Green but she shot wide.

Three minutes later Helen King saw her shot comfortably saved by Lauren Davey before Green was denied by Wordington.

Watford broke the deadlock with just under an hour played when Gunn headed home Wiltshire’s corner. 

They should have doubled their lead with 25 to play when Fliss Gibbons shot was let loose by Wordington but the former somehow shot past the post. 

The Hornets made the first change of the match with 15 minutes remaining when Megan Wynne took to the field and she almost scored soon after but Wordington saved her headed effort. 

Leanne Reidy forced a save from Davey late on with a dipping free-kick but the second-placed Hornets held on for the three points.