Bookies see the Bees in real trouble

As Barnet make their final preparations for their tricky FA Cup first round game at Hednesford on Saturday, manager John Still is again faced with the defensive problems that have plagued him throughout the season.

Mark Arber, man of the match in Tuesday's timely, confidence-boosting 1-0 home win over Scunthorpe, is a victim of a change in the competition rules that prevents on-loan players from taking part.

Still was relieved to learn that Scottish laws allow a player to remain on loan for three months and Julian Alsford, on loan from Dundee United, returned to action against Scunthorpe. Because he is registered with a Scottish club he can play in the cup tie.

But there's a doubt about Mick Basham, who missed the second half of Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Cambridge through a recurring groin problem that prevented him facing Scunthorpe.

Still sent Alan Dafforn to spy on Hednesford in their 1-1 home draw with Conference title favourites Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday.

Hednesford, lying seventh, have an impressive FA Cup record. Two seasons ago, they reached the fourth round, knocking out Blackpool and York City along the way, before putting up a terrific performance in a 3-2 defeat by mighty Middlesbrough.

Last season, they won 2-0 at Hull in the first round, but lost 1-0 at home to Darlington.

Said Still: "Hednesford are very direct and it's a tough game for us. If I was in charge of a Conference side at home to a lowly Third Division club, I'd fancy my chances. But our confidence got a boost with the win over Scunthorpe, and if we play as well as we did on Tuesday, we can get a result."

o Hednesford are 5/4 favourites with bookmaker William Hill, Barnet 7/4 and it's 9/4 the draw. If a replay is needed it would take place on Tuesday, November 24.

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