Notts County 2

Barnet 0

Barnet competed well against the champions-elect in driving rain at Meadow Lane on Saturday, and had chances to gain a useful point before County made sure of victory with a superb second goal five minutes from time.

County provided a splendid example of the guile that has taken them 16 points clear of the chasing pack when Gary Jones got clear on the right, spotted Lee Harrison moving towards the near post and delivered a perfectly weighted cross for Andrew Hughes to head home.

Bees boss John Still took heart from their sterling efforts, saying: "The lads gave everything for the cause. We've nine games left, and if we play like that for the rest of the season, we'll certainly win more than we lose."

With plenty at stake, a keenly-contested match provided a marked contrast in styles. The leaders played their trademark flowing football, while well-organised Barnet soaked up pressure and struck on the break.

Twenty-goal top scorer Jones showed his skills, but timely interventions by the outstanding Greg Heald prevented him adding to his tally.

Former Barnet player Alex Dyer performed well for the leaders, but when he delivered a perfect cross, Farrell wasted the chance, heading wide.

Scott McGleish then gave County a fright when he seized on a backpass from Richardson and rounded Ian Baraclough, but lost his way.

Top scorer Sean Devine then showed Richardson a clean pair of heels, but shot at keeper Darren Ward.

Stevie Searle threatened to give the visitors the lead on the half-hour when a tremendous run took him to within a few yards from the box, only to be felled by Steve Finnan.

Three minutes later County went ahead. Dyer headed the ball towards Jones, who took advantage of a slip by Mick Basham and ran on to power a low shot well wide of Harrison.

Midway through the second period, Devine raced clear from a fine through ball by impressive Paul Wilson, but keeper Ward saved well.

During a spell of strong pressure by County, cool Heald was at his best with a succession of timely interventions.

But Barnet were again unlucky not to level ten minutes from time, when McGleish forced another splendid save from Ward.

And five minutes later, as Barnet pushed forward County made certain of the points with that superb second goal.

BARNET: Harrison; Heald, Howarth, Basham; Goodhind (Samuels 63), Harle; Searle (Simpson 77), Wilson, Doolan; Devine (Charlery 71), McGleish.

Man of the match: Greg Heald

Crowd: 6,180

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