Barnet scraped into the play-offs in a day of nail-biting drama on Saturday, and now only Colchester lie between the Bees and a Wembley final appearance.

Needing a point to clinch their play-off spot, the Bees found themselves two goals down at half-time against Rochdale thanks to goals from Andy Gouck and Robbie Painter.

Meanwhile Rotherham, their only rivals for a play-off spot were involved in a ding dong battle with champions Notts County, taking an early lead to put the pressure firmly on the Bees.

John Still's men couldn't turn things around in the second half at Spotland, but by the time Scott McGleish had hooked in a last minute consolation goal, Rotherham were 5-2 behind to County and the Bees were home and dry.

Manager Still said: "We are now faced with three cup-finals in our fight to gain promotion to the Second Division, and our chance is as good as anyody else's."

His side now face Colchester in the semi-final, with the first leg an all-ticket match at Underhill on Sunday (1.30pm), followed by Wednesday's return, a ticket only game for Bees fans.

Tickets for both games can be purchased from the ticket office on 0181-449-6325.

In the other semi-final, Scarborough and Torquay clash at Seamer Road on Wednesday, with the return at Plainmoor four days later.

All four sides have felt the pressure of the promotion push recently, suffering a loss of form.

Barnet have won only one of their last eight matches, and Colchester, after a fine 12-match spell of nine wins, two draws and a solitary defeat, began to struggle.

A 3-1 defeat at Chester was followed by a 1-1 home draw with Leyton Orient, and they could only win 1-0 away to relegated Doncaster in their final league game on Saturday.

Like Barnet, Scarborough have recorded only one win in their last eight attempts, and Torquay have managed two in their last 10.

Barnet will be without midfielders John Doolan and Paul Wilson, both suspended for Sunday's first leg. Wilson will be available for the return, but after Barnet lost their appeal against Doolan's dismissal in the 1-0 home defeat by his former club Mansfield, he'll take no part in the play-offs.

Barnet will be encouraged by the fact that they've taken four points from their league encounters with Colchester. A 1-1 draw at Layer Road in August was followed by a fine performance from the Bees in a 3-2 victory in the return in December.

Sean Devine (2) and Scott McGleish were on target at Underhill, and if they get the right support, these pacey hotshots could prove to be the men for the big occasion and again destroy United on Sunday.

A good win on Sunday should virtually guarantee the Bees a passage to the Wembley final on Friday, May 22.

The Bees have been a solid away outfit all season, and a rousing first leg performance in front of their home fans would give them the platform to reach Wembley.

Barnet's ever-reliable defence got a vote of thanks from the Bees fans this week.

Goalkeeper Lee Harrison was voted player of the year by the club's supporters on Sunday, edging out skipper Lee Howarth by just six votes, with Greg Heald in third.

Warren Goodhind was most improved player, and goal of the season was Phil Simpson's 50 yarder at Swansea.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.