The second biggest gate in Conference history, 9,215, saw the visitors go ahead with a controversial penalty inside the second minute and extend that lead through a Kevin Gray own goal just before the half-hour mark. Winger Brendan McGill claimed his fourth goal of the season a minute from half-time to get United back in it. They dominated most of the second half but wasted a string of chances and late on a Dwane Lee header gave Barnet the winning cushion they needed. Chris Lumsdon was back in midfield after missing the previous three games with Paul Arnison dropping down to the bench. Giuliano Grazioli did not win his fitness battle and so Barnet were without both their first-choice strikers, as Grazioli's partner Liam Hatch had dislocated his elbow in the 5-0 win over Dag and Red last week. Barnet were celebrating barely two minutes after the kick-off when referee Nolan pointed to the penalty spot after Lee Andrews was harshly judged to have controlled the ball with his left hand inside the penalty area. Despite venomous protests the official was not about to change his mind and Bees skipper Ian Hendon stepped up to show a cool head and prod the ball past Matty Glennon to his right. It was just the start the Londonders must have dreamed about and they were able to waste as much as time as they pleased from that point on, creating a situation that almost got out of hand as United's frustrations bubbled to the surface. Chris Billy, Simon Grand and Peter Murphy all went into the book inside the first 20 minutes and there were several off the ball clashes during an ill-tempered game. United had a shout for a penalty themselves when Magno Vieira raced towards the right edge of the box and appeared to be up-ended but the officials waved away appeals, much to the large crowd's disgust. Vieira also made his mark when he fired in a fierce shot from 25 yards that goalkeeper Tynan did well to palm away to his right to concede a corner. Barnet still looked dangerous in bursts, with Dean Sinclair firing over from 20 yards in the 18th minute. Vieira had another go from 20 yards, but his shot missed wide right. On 29 minutes Barnet doubled their lead when a cross from the right hand edge of the area was met by the unfortunate Carlisle captain who only succeeded in turning the ball past Glennon into his own net. The damage was done and United looked well out of the game at this point, but they continued to come forward and look threatening. 36 minutes had elapsed when a Murphy corner brought a couple of chances but Vieira's close range effort was blocked by Simon King and from the follow-up Carlisle couldn't get a decisive shot in. Murphy fired over the bar as United tried to create the sort of pressure that would bring a goal back. An inswinging Lumsdon corner found the dangerous Tom Cowan but his shot cleared the bar. Hawley fired well wide from over 20 yards out but within a minute the home team had clawed their way back into the game. A ball across the box by Hawley was aimed at Brendan McGill who couldn't quite get a clean shot in but the rebound cannoned off his shin and over the line to give the huge crowd a big lift with half-time coming up. Almost immediately Ben Strevens was booked for the visitors as Carlisle visibly upped the tempo. They continued in the same vein after the interval as Barnet were pushed back. A Cowan shot was well held by Tynan. Sinclair brought a solid punch out of Glennon but Barnet were not much of an attacking force now and United's midfield injected some pace into the game with Chris Billy in particular outstanding in winning the ball and getting it forward quickly. On 58 minutes Hawley had a really good opening on the left side of the box but his shot was too close to Tynan who saved. Vieira fired over on the hour. Murphy had two shots, one over the bar and one missing the right hand upright. Then the left midfielder was set up on his weaker right foot by McGill but fired rather tamely straight at Tynan. As good a chance as this was, it wasn't the best of the match. That fell to an unmarked Billy who was in the middle of the box with only Tynan to beat but his shot lacked venom and Tynan was able to save. United were made to pay a few minutes later when Lee Andrews conceded a corner. The kick was thrown towards the far post area and an unmarked Lee was able to direct his header across Glennon and into the opposite corner to seal the result. United threw on Craig Farrell and Kevin Henderson but the sting had gone out of the game. The last incident of the match saw unlucky Henderson hobble out of the match following a hospital pass by Simon Grand. He was wheeled away on a stretcher after the final whistle sounded. Al's verdict: A real shame that the referee's dodgy decision so early on was allowed to spoil the game. Had Barnet not got that early goal, I feel our higher tempo game might have won the day. Instead it played right into their hands because they are happy slowing it down and passing it around. While they were clearly the best side to come up here so far, the scoreline rather flattered them. Their first two goals were gifts, one from the ref, the other from us. Having got back into the game near the break, our improved second half showing should have brought an equaliser but not for the first time this season, we wasted some golden chances. Barnet then clinically finished us off with a header from a corner. The stats showed us needing a lot more chances than them to win games and so it proved. Our unbeaten record is gone, but now we need to knuckle down and keep our form going, because we are still well capable of giving Barnet a run for their money. |
