Forest Green 2 Barnet 2

Nationwide Conference

Barnet, paying their first visit to The Lawn, had Forest Green on the rack for most of the match with their enterprising, elegant attacking play.

They should have been rewarded with their third successive league away win but a combination of ill-luck, poor finishing and an excellent display by Rovers' keeper Steve Perrin restricted them to a point.

After leading twice, the Bees conceded a last-minute equaliser.

With virtually the last kick of the game, Forest's Mark Shaw rattled the bar with a fierce 30-yard drive what daylight robbery it would have been if Shaw's effort had been a few inches lower.

If the Bees had converted half their chances, they would have been 3-0 up after 30 minutes with three more points in the bag.

Wayne Purser's pace troubled Rovers and he was unlucky with a cross-shot that hit the post.

Forest were under siege. A powerful header from Ben Strevens was well held by keeper Perrin; Leon Bell headed wide from Lee Flynn's cross and Perrin got down well to clutch a forceful header from Mark Arber.

Barnet captain Greg Heald, in trouble when he pulled back Alex Meechan from behind, escaped with a yellow card.

Barnet resumed their onslaught. Strevens, denied by a great block from Perrins, put them ahead in the 61st minute with a powerful header from Mark Gower's corner.

Against the run of play, Meechan, suspiciously offside, grabbed an 81st minute equaliser.

Four minutes later, Rob Sawyers restored Barnet's lead with a glorious goal, a deft chip high into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Again Forest drew level, through Steve Jenkins with a low cross shot, which was followed by Shaw's fine effort.

BARNET: Harrison, Gledhill, Arber, Heald, Flynn, Niven, Bell, Sawyers, Gower, Strevens, Purser. Substitutes not used: Midgley, Naisbitt, Toms, Pluck, Berkley. Attendance: 994. Man of the match: Strevens.

November 28, 2001 19:36

JOHN POLLARD