Barnet kicked off today's game at a wet Underhill sporting their all new old gold and black replica shirts, the same shirts as worn back when the two sides met 100 years ago at the first ever game taking place at our home.

Peter Taylor sent a very strong side from Selhurst Park and they kicked off towards the North Terrace in all white, as the sun began to poke its way through the clouds. So much for the Great British summer!

The first half chance of the match fell to new signing Ashley Carew after three minutes, whose low shot was comfortably taken low down by Speroni in the Palace goal.

Barnet continued to press from the outset, and a long ball from Yakubu, named captain for the day, fell to Liam Hatch, who powered his shot over into the South Stand.

Palace registered their first effort at goal after nine minutes, when Ben Watson teed up Stuart Green whose low shot was easily gathered by trialist keeper Rob Beckwith, who was standing in for the injured Lee Harrison.

After eighteen minutes, Palace were to take the lead from nowhere when a harmless cross was nodded back to keeper Rob Beckwith by trialist John Glele, but the ball slipped through the keepers' hands and bounced into the net. One would wager that the goal scored by A. Seabrook in the match 100 years ago was somewhat more accomplished!

Palace went close again soon after, Green again the creator, with the shot saved by the legs of Beckwith.

However, after 24 minutes, Ben Watson fired a screamer into the back of the net to double Palace's lead. Watson, who was fed by Tony Craig, picked the ball up around 25 yards from goal and sent an unstoppable right footed shot into the top left hand corner.

The Eagles were beginning to dominate and added a third after another defensive mix-up on 28 minutes. An innocuous looking long ball over the top by Matt Lawrence caused confusion between Yakubu and Beckwith, and Paul Ifill was able to steal in and increase Palace's lead further.

Ifill went close just after the half hour mark, cutting inside Glele well but flashing his shot just wide of the near post.

On 40 minutes, Ifill again went close, beating Sagi Burton to the through ball but his delicate effort was well saved by Beckwith.

Referee Grant Hegley soon bought a very disappointing first half to a close.

At half time, Bees Legends of yesteryear were introduced onto the pitch as part of the celebrations. Each of them had contributed to the history of the stadium in their own way and were given an excellent ovation by the crowd.

Both sides made a few changes at half time and the Bees started brightly in the second half.

On 55 minutes, neat build up play by Barnet nearly set up a goal back. Puncheon fired a low cross across the face of the Palace goal but no-one could get on the end of it touch home.

On the hour mark, Michael Leary, signed having been released from Luton, placed a quick free kick towards the bottom corner, which was well saved by the alert substitute goalkeeper Scott Flinders.

And soon after, Jason Puncheon who was now operating on the right hand side, cut in and fired a shot just over the North Terrace crossbar.

Puncheon again went close a few minutes later, breaking through the middle and dragging his shot just wide of the far post.

The Bees' persistence paid off on 69 minutes, after some good work between Ashley Carew and Puncheon resulted in the young Carew placing home from six yards out after Puncheon's cross from the right.

Barnet were giving it a real go and Carew nearly grabbed his second when his well struck shot from outside the penalty area fizzed just over the bar.

On 77 minutes, Palace number six Leon Cort very nearly touched into his own net when Adam Birchall slid the ball across the six yard box looking for Liam Hatch, the ball just popped wide of the post for a corner.

The Bees carried on right until the end, Jason Puncheon's corner found its way to Adam Birchall whose shot on the turn was well flicked over by Flinders.

And soon after, Ismail Yakubu grabbed a second for Barnet as he nodded home from a left wing cross.

In all, a poor first half was met with a very positive response by The Bees whose second half performance was infinitely improved. Indeed, a draw would not have been out of the question based on the chances created, but the three goal deficit was just too much in the end.

The Bees are at Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday as the Pre-Season campaign continues.

Barnet: Beckwith, Hendon, Yakubu, Burton, Glele, Carew, Bishop, Leary, Puncheon, Hatch, Thomas Subs: Trebbs, Seanla, Birchall, Bostwick, Cole, Porter, Nicolau, Honor

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Cort, Hudson, Craig, Green, Watson, Soares, Freedman, Kuqi, Ifill Subs: Flinders, Butterfield, Fletcher, Martin, Swailby, Dayton, Bostock, Hills, Moses

Att: 1,371

James Harrison