Martin Allen was disappointed with Barnet’s performance this afternoon, as his side lost 1-0 to Carlisle United at The Hive. 

Speaking after the game, Martin said:

“I thought it was very disappointing – it was the first time in a while that we haven’t played to our maximum. 

“We were better in the second half, but it was too late.

“The players are a really good bunch – they were well aware at half time that we hadn’t really got up to the standards that we set in pre-season and in the first few games. 

“Even when we got tonked by Millwall I thought everybody played pretty well and did us proud. 

“But today I don’t think that we really gave a good account of ourselves. 

“The players aren’t slapdash and through the ten months of the season this is going to happen – you just hope it doesn’t happen too often. 

“But today I just thought that it was flat, lacklustre and a dull performance for some reason. 

“We never went forward with any purpose and at times we had the chance to pass it forward quickly but never did it. 

“I thought Carlisle were the better team today. 

“Shaun Batt did improve the team and he played well when he came on.

“It was also good for Jamie Stephens to come back in – he’s played two reserve games and had a lot of full time training with Carl Muggleton. 

“It was probably a little bit harsh on Josh Vickers to be honest, but those are the decisions that I have to make. 

“I must say that a special word has to go to Harry Taylor, who I thought was our best player and was outstanding.

“He wasn’t second to the ball and was up against Nicky Adams, who is a very dangerous player. 

“I thought that for someone who is 19-years-old, Harry Taylor was the only real positive to take out of that match. 

“Bira Dembele missed today’s game with badly bruised ribs from training on Tuesday. 

“It was a totally innocuous challenge and he didn’t train on Friday because he was in a lot of pain. 

I’ll have to wait and see now, in terms of the team to play MK Dons – I’ll have a chat to my staff.

“I watched them play at Reading the other night and they played very well. 

“Obviously I want a reaction from our players, because they’re better than how they played today. 

“There will be some changes of course, but we’re missing three players at the moment with Pearson, Gash and now Dembele out. 

“So I have to be careful with the numbers now, to make sure we’ve got enough fit players.”