Peterborough 3 Barnet 0

(Peterborough win 5-1 on agg)

Division Three play-off semi-final second leg

Former Barnet manager Barry Fry led the celebrations as his current club Peterborough destroyed the Bees at a packed London Road on Wednesday night.

BarnetÍs hopes of reaching the third division play-off final at Wembley suffered a shattering blow on 27 minutes when Dave Farrell fired in a tremendous 30-yard shot in to the top of the net putting Peterborough ahead on the night and 3-1 up on aggregate.

It followed a sustained spell of pressure when a dangerous cross by Gareth Jelleyman was booted clear by Mike Basham. Andy Clarke, former Bees striker and scorer in the first leg, then burst clear on the left but put a decent chance wide of the target.

It was a poor first-half performance by Barnet who failed to get their act together despite coming into the game a goal behind on aggregate.

One of their brighter moments came when Toms launched a tremendous run on the left but when his cross was cleared Basham couldnÍt control his effort and failed to trouble the Posh goalkeeper.

BarnetÍs best effort of the half came on the stroke of half time when John Doolan, impressive in midfield, Darren Currie and Ken Charlery combined only for CharleryÍs shot to be deflected off Andy Edwards and away for a corner.

Moments later there were strong appeals for a penalty when Greg Heald was baulked in the Peterborough box as he challenged for a corner but the referee waved away BarnetÍs appeals.

The referee was under pressure again on the other side of the break when Sam Stockley went down in a heap after a strong run in to the area ,, again all appeals for a spot kick were ignored.

It was to be BarnetÍs high tide, despite the sterling performances of Doolan and Toms in midfield who battled hard.

Farrell, so impressive in the first leg, was again to be the man to cause them heartache.

On 71 minutes he all but sealed the tie when he received the ball 30 yards from goal and let fly with a shot that left Lee Harrison in the Barnet goal, who had just suffered a hamstring injury, no chance.

Harrison was forced off four minutes later after and French teenager Burt Bossu came on to make his debut in front of 10,515 fans ,, most of whom were by now celebrating victory.

Farrell, with two fine goals under his belt already, made it three when he fired home past Bossu from just outside the penalty area.

Barnet had put up a brave fight but the extra class of FryÍs Peterborough told in the end and Barnet must now prepare for another season of Division Three football.

BARNET: Harrison, Heald, Basham, Arber, Stockley, Toms, Doolan, Brown, Currie, McGleish, Charlery. Subs: Bossu, Wilson, Goodhind, King, Sawyers. Attendance: 10,515.