Darlington 2

Barnet 3

Barnet, facing a severe test of character at Darlington on Saturday, came through with flying colours and three hard-earned precious promotion points.

The Quakers boasted an impressive record at Feethams this season, with 12 wins and five draws from 20 matches, only champions Notts County, second-placed Torquay and Scarborough, lying fifth, having won there.

To add to the pressure, Scarborough and two of the Bees' other promotion rivals Colchester (making their habitual late charge), and Peterborough, (who beat the champions), were all home winners on Friday.

Watched by a bevy of scouts, top scorer Sean Devine was Barnet's star with a devastating display, rewarded with his first away hat-trick for the club, boosting his season's tally to 17.

But it needed stout resistance, spearheaded by the ever dependable trio of Greg Heald, Lee Howarth and Mike Basham, to withstand a second half onslaught.

The Quakers stroked the ball about stylishly in the early stages, but the Bees were soon looking dangerous on the break and punished their opponents for their errors.

The first costly lapse came in the 11th minute. Sam Stockley blocked Michael Oliver's attempt to burst clear, and the ball rebounded to Devine who raced on and powered a shot that cannoned off Darlington defender Andy Crosby, sending keeper David Preece the wrong way.

Oliver posed a threat to the Bees with his skill and pace. His deep cross was headed clear by Mike Basham, and when Oliver followed up after Glenn Naylor's effort was diverted wide, his goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Stockley.

Sandwiched between those tense moments for the Bees, Phil Simpson ended a 25-yard burst with a low shot that had diving keeper Preece beaten, but flashed inches wide.

But the Bees were still under the cosh. Paul Wilson blocked Naylor's powerful shot, and when Carl Shutt sent a dangerous high ball into the box, Basham again showed his power in the air, outjumping Naylor.

Darlington were again caught in possession on the half-hour. Steve Searle robbed Phil Brumwell and fed Scott McGleish, who drew the cover and slipped the ball to Devine, who hit a magnificent low shot into the far corner of the net from the left hand edge of the box.

Six minutes later, Searle sustained a hamstring injury, and was replaced by Warren Goodhind.

Barnet should have wrapped the game up on the stroke of half-time, when energetic Devine set up a good opportunity for Simpson, whose poor shot was deflected wide.

Barnet had started the match wearing their regular away strip, grey with a black border, difficult to distinguish from Darlington's white shirt and black shorts.

The referee insisted on a change for the second period, and Barnet switched to their regular home orange shirts.

Darlington began the second half in determined style, replying after only two minutes. A swift attack down the right culminated in Brumwell getting to the bye-line and pulling back for Paul Campbell to fire in.

And with the exception of an unlucky moment for Heald when his header from Wilson's corner was headed off the line by Brumwell, Darlington dominated.

The Bees defended well to keep retain their slender lead until the 82nd minute, when another smooth right-wing build-up ended with Lee Ellison providing the pass for fellow substitute Mario Dorner to slot in the equaliser.

But if Darlington thought the point was safe, Devine had other ideas. With three minute left, he almost completed his hat-trick when his shot was blocked after a corner.

And the irrepressible hitman struck a minute later, meeting Wilson's corner with a powerful header to send Barnet's travelling fans wild with delight.

BARNET; Harrison; Heald, Howarth, Basham; Stockley, Harle; Searle, (Goodhind 37), Wilson, Simpson (Onwere 62); Devine, McGleish (Charlery 73).

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