Barnet 1 Peterborough 2

Nationwide League Div Three play-off semi-final 1st leg

Barnet would have started the return at London Road last night (Wednesday) with at least a one goal lead if their one-time Peterborough striker Scott McGleish had made the most of a handful of half-chances in the second half.

McGleish had a few near misses, and the Bees were given a lesson in opportunism when Andy Clarke, discovered by Peterborough's then Barnet boss Barry Fry in London Hotels League soccer and later sold to Wimbledon for £300,000, fired a magnificent 68th-minute winner.

Clarke darted on to a flick by his frontline partner Jason Lee and, from an acute angle, steered a low drive beyond the reach of keeper Lee Harrison and inside the far post.

Clarke and Lee are rated by Fry as the best attacking combination in Division Three, and it was Lee who soon sorely troubled Barnet with his aerial power in the opening 20 minutes.

After Greg Heald's header was superbly saved by keeper Mark Tyler, Barnet's captain was outjumped by Lee, who headed the visitors into a fifth minute lead.

Mark Arber levelled after 22 minutes with his fourth goal in five games, heading home from Darren Currie's corner.

A remarkable let-off for Barnet followed when dashing Clarke evaded Mick Basham's challenge and his shot was bound for the empty net, until Dave Farrell, trying to make sure, prodded the ball over the line, but from an offside position.

Barnet dominated the second half, with Currie in inspired form, instigating some slick moves involving Ken Charlery and McGleish.

But it proved a frustrating 45 minutes for McGleish. particularly when he stabbed the ball wide at close range from Currie's near post cross, and headed over from John Doolan's accurate delivery.

'Despite Peterborough's greater experience, we were the better side, and with that level of performance we would still have a great chance in the return,' said Barnet manager John Still.

BARNET: Harrison; Heald, Basham, Arber; Sawyers (Toms, 20), Stockley; Wilson (Strevens, 80), Doolan, Currie; Charlery, McGleish. Subs not used: Bossu, King, Goodhind. ATTENDANCE: 4,535.