From there, Barnet were always going to be chasing in a game that they dominated for large periods. 

Exeter started the strongest with Moore-Taylor pouncing within 4 minutes to finish from close range, after The Bees failed to clear their lines. 

It got worse 2 minutes later, when David Wheeler muscled his way into the box and slipped the ball underneath the legs of Jamie Stephens.

The Bees then did their best to re-group, Bover and Harry Taylor linking well to force a Barnet free kick on 9 minutes. 

Bover then forced a save from Exeter’s Pym to give the Bees hope of a comeback. 

On 12 minutes Bover again pressed forward, with his cross finding Akinola who was unable to capitalise.

Back down the other end, Watkins pounced from close range on 16 minutes, but Stephens was equal to it. 

The game became very end-to-end, with Vilhete spreading the ball when he could to bring in Akinola on the diagonal.

A double effort from Coulson and then Taylor from range forced Exeter into saves, as Barnet continued to press.

On 24 minutes Akinola rose to meet Bover’s cross, but could only head wide of the right hand post.

A soft penalty appeal was waved away from Exeter, when Santos was caught on the turn down the other end. 

A few minutes later and a double effort from Taylor and Reid were blocked by the Bees as Barnet tightened their defence. 

On 31 minutes Akinde drove to the right byline and fired wide on the angle, with no Barnet player able to meet the shot/cross at the far post. 

Harry Taylor, who looked positive all afternoon, had his long range effort saved by Pym on 34 minutes as the Bees continued to have good spells in attack.

The Bees found themselves hitting it long for Akinde on 38 minutes, but his knockdowns were not followed up by the second man. 

Akinde continued to lead the line, bullying his way through the Exeter defence, but was unable to find an end product under pressure. 

Barnet went into the half time break with the game still within their reach and came out flying in the second period. 

Jamal Campbell-Ryce was introduced, and his energy down the flanks caused Exeter problems.

On 52 minutes, Akinola delivered a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box, which John Akinde’s diving header just failed to reach.

The Bees continued to have good attacking spells, and on 57 minutes Akinola couldn’t direct his close range header goal-ward from Bover’s cross.

Akinde battled the Exeter back line all game, finding himself surrounded by red shirts every time he was brought into the game. 

On 63 minutes, Akinde set for Akinola on the penalty spot, but his shot was blocked by Exeter’s defence. 

A fine curling effort from Akinde on 65 minutes was then pushed away by Pym in the Exeter goal.

The Bees made another change, Bover giving way for Weston.

On 69 minutes, the Bees got their reward for consistantly attacking when Akinola laid off to Akinde who drove home from close range for his 24th of the season. 

A minute later and Akinde was causing problems again, pulling another effort just wide of the post.

The Bees felt the game was still there for the taking, Akinola and Weston both going close. 

77 minutes saw the final Bees change, Amaluzor coming on for Akinola.

And Amaluzor was straight into the action, setting for Vilhete to shoot from outside of the box for a Bees corner. 

Elliott Johnson was then fouled on the left hand side of the box a few minutes later.

The resulting free kick saw JCR whip a ball towards Santos who headed over. 

Weston then whipped an inviting cross into the box from the right hand side, which Akinde couldn’t keep under the bar.

The Bees again pressed in the final minutes, Vilhete setting for Akinde who was smothered from close range by the out-coming Pym.

The final chance of the match again fell to Akinde, who’s header from Jack Taylor’s cross went agonisingly over the bar. 

At full time, the Bees were clapped off by their travelling fans who could see the effort put in to try and get something from the game.

Full time: Exeter City 2-1 Barnet