Two goals from Bira Dembele helped Barnet to an impressive victory over Crawley Town.

The defender put the Bees 2-0 up thanks to two headers from Luke Gambin set pieces.

Crawley found their way back into the match when Mitch Hancox and Jimmy Smith struck mid-way through the second half.

But a John Akinde penalty and an own goal sealed the win for Barnet.

The Bees had the first chance of the match after 11 minutes – Aaron McLean’s free kick fell to Josh Clarke, but his effort on goal was scrambled away by the Crawley defence. 

The visitors responded just after the half hour mark when Gwion Edwards’ goal-bound shot was deflected behind by Sam Togwell. 

Ian Lawlor had to be at his best to tip Sonny Bradley’s bullet header over the bar after 38 minutes.   

The Bees then took the lead on the stroke of half time.

Dembele rose high to head home a Luke Gambin corner in first half stoppage time to send Barnet into the break 1-0 up.

The Frenchman doubled the Bees’ advantage in the 52nd minute with his second of the match. 

Gambin was again the provider – lofting a free kick into the box for Dembele to head in at the far post. 

Barnet’s tails were up, and Curtis Weston almost added a third with an hour gone. 

The midfielder let fly with a long distance drive, only for Darryl Flahavan to dive low and turn the ball around the post. 

A well worked move from the Bees saw substitute Michael Gash flick the ball into the path of Akinde, but the striker poked his shot wide of the goal.

Barnet appeared in complete control, until two goals in three minutes brought Crawley back into the game.

First Hancox’s looping cross hit the far post and bounced past Ian Lawlor into the net.

Then Smith fired a wonder strike from distance on 78 minutes to pull the visitors level.

Martin Allen’s side weren’t done however, and they again took the lead when Weston was fouled in the box with eight minutes left to play – Akinde rolled home the resulting spot kick to put the Bees back in front.

Barnet sealed the win when Clarke’s scrambled effort came off Lewis Young and ended up in the back of the net.

The Bees held out for a first win in December, and will be full of confidence when they face Newport County at The Hive on Boxing Day.