Ben Strevens denied Bury the three points as his late header earnt Barnet a draw at Underhill this afternoon.
Strevens headed home his forth goal of the season four minutes from time after Danny Reet had given the away side the lead midway through the second half.
However, a draw was the least Barnet deserved after dominating the game for large periods, forcing Bury goalkeeper Neil Edwards into a number of outstanding saves.
Liam Hatch twice nearly gave the Bees the lead in the opening quarter of the game but saw his headers saved, whilst a further effort from the tall striker went wide following neat build up play between Giuliano Grazioli and Nicky Bailey.
At the other end, Nicky Adams saw a speculative effort from 25 yards easily held by Ross Flitney in the Barnet goal whilst Brian Barry-Murphy saw an effort drift wide.
Grazioli then thought he had given the Bees the lead on two occasions in the 25th minute but he saw his left footed scissor kick superbly tipped over the crossbar by Edwards, whilst a further effort moments later was blocked on the line by Tom Kennedy - the rebound being grasped by an inspired Edwards.
Barnet were well on top and had the visitors defending deeper and deeper as the half progressed and this was evident when Grazioli managed to break clear of a static Bury backline only to see his effort parried by Edwards. The ball rebounded back to Grazioli who fed the ball to Barnet debutant Paolo Vernazza but he saw his rasping drive tipped round the post.
The second half was a quieter affair with both sides struggling to retain the ball, although Barnet were still looking the more threatening in front of goal.
Hatch nearly capitalised on a short back pass from Barry-Murphy but under pressure from Edwards, he saw his effort go wide. It was yet more frustration for the former Gravesend striker who is still searching for his first goal of the season, despite putting in some inspired, whole-hearted performances in recent weeks.
On the hour, Barnet had another great chance to take the lead but were again thwarted by Edwards. Nicky Bailey carried the ball past three Bury players before feeding an inch perfect pass to Grazioli, but from 8 yards out Barnet's leading scorer could only hit his effort straight at the Bury custodian.
Straight down the other end and Bury were to have their first effort on goal in the half - a fine run by Shakers midfielder Simon Whaley saw him skip past the challenges of Hendon and Yakubu, before he played the ball to his right where substitute Speight saw his right footed effort tipped round a post by Flitney.
However, moments later and the Shakers were to be celebrating as this time Speight was the one who ran at the Barnet defence before feeding on-loan Sheffield Wednesday striker Danny Reet (69), who finished past Flitney from 12 yards.
The goal was a killer blow to Barnet who had numerous chances to have taken the lead themselves and the frustration around Underhill was evident amongst fans and players alike.
However, in typical Barnet spirit the players did not let their heads drop and when Nicky Bailey won a corner in the 86th minute, the Bees loaded the penalty box and Strevens rose highest in the centre of the goal to head home and send Underhill into a state of delight and relief at the same time.
Bees substitute Jason Norville then saw a late effort go wide, whilst Strevens was denied his second goal of the game and a late Barnet winner when his half volley from 20 yards was held by Edwards.
A point gained or two points lost? That was the question on everyone's lips as they left Underhill - be that whether you were a fan of Barnet or Bury.
Jonathan Sugar
