Torquay United 0

Barnet 0

Goalkeeper Lee Harrison pulled off the save of the season which, coupled with steely resistance by central defenders Greg Heald, Lee Howarth and Mike Basham, secured a precious point for Barnet against promotion rivals Torquay United at Plainmoor on Saturday.

Harrison's heroics came in the 26th minute, when Gulls' deadball expert Paul Gibbs deftly curled a 25-yard free-kick around the defensive wall, and the ball was bound for the top corner of the net, until Harrison's full length dive kept it out.

It was just the inspiration Barnet, lying third, needed against second-placed Torquay, who had won nine of their previous ten matches.

Defeat for the Bees would have left them seven points adrift of their opponents, instead they remain four behind.

Kevin Hodge, Torquay's Director of Football was impressed with the visitors, saying: "Not many sides will take a point from Barnet in the games they have left this season. They are strong at the back, and Sean Devine and Scott McGleish look dangerous. Stopping them scoring made it one of our best clean sheets."

Bees' boss John Still commented: "We came to win, but it was important to get something out of the game, and we battled well for our point."

The Gulls were soon in full flight, with speedy front-runners Rodney Jack and Tony Bedeau threatening, backed by adventurous wing-backs Andy Gurney and Gibbs.

Harrison held a powerful long range shot from Bedeau, then clutched player-coach Steve McCall's low drive.

Sean Devine, still seeking his 50th goal for the visitors, threatened on the break, going close with a volley that flashed over the angle of the woodwork; and after he failed to control Phil Simpson's pass when clear, he stormed through again, only to be fouled just outside the box.

When Devine flicked on a long throw by Sam Stockley, McGleish ran in, but United cleared the danger.

Harrison had a busy spell, when he got down swiftly to divert Jack's stinging shot, followed by that wonderful stop from Gibbs.

For once, the Bees' defence was exposed down the middle when Jack sent Gurney clear, but the wing-back's shot flew past the far post.

Barnet were again under pressure early in the second half, when Harrison saved well from Bedeau, and Mick Harle was twice well-positioned to keep out dangerous crosses.

Paul Wilson, who replaced Steve Searle after 64 minutes, was booked for a foul on Beadeau four minutes later. John Doolan and Howarth were also cautioned, and there were yellow cards for Torquay's Gary Clayton and Jon Gittens.

When the visitors hit back, Stockley and McGleish both had efforts deflected for a corner, and after Devine's effort dipped past the post, he was denied by a good save from keeper Veysey.

In added time, Jack, who scored a last-gasp winner at Darlington the previous week, threatened a repeat, but was robbed three times at the vital moment, by Harle twice, and skipper Howarth.

BARNET; Harrison; Heald, Howarth, Basham; Stockley, Harle; Searle (Wilson 64), Doolan, Simpson (Goodhind 90); Devine, McGleish. Sub: Samuels.

Man of the match: Harrison

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