An out of sorts Barnet side suffered their second successive league defeat at Mansfield Town this afternoon.
In truth, the 4-0 scoreline in favour of the home side may have flattered the Bees who had goalkeeper Scott Tynan to thank for keeping the score down.
Barnet, who started with a four-five-one formation, recalled Giuliano Grazioli, Simon King, Dwane Lee, Richard Graham and Anthony Charles following the midweek win over Bristol City in the LDV Vans Trophy.
Both sides started tentatively, with Gareth Jellyman and Nicky Bailey failing to hit the target early on for either side. However, it was the Stags who were to get the games opening goal courtesy of a Richard Barker penalty kick in the 11th minute, after Referee Boyeson adjudged Simon King's challenge on Simon Brown was a foul.
Mansfield were buoyed on by the early goal and began to pass the ball around with fluency and confidence and could have added a second goal just two minutes later, although Brown's effort flashed narrowly wide.
Barnet were struggling to retain possession of the ball, as the Stags began to dominate the midfield.Barker nearly claimed his second goal of the game after he beat the offside trap, although Tynan narrowed the angle and forced the striker's weak effort to be easily cleared by the retreating Charles on the Barnet goal line.
As the half progressed, Barnet's passing game began to disintegrate and Grazioli, as the lone striker, was an isolated figure in the Bees attack. Louis Soares showed some bright spells down the Barnet right, although the service into the Bees front man was sadly lacking.
As half time approached, Tynan pulled off a splendid double save from Brown and Gus Uhlenbeek to prevent the Bees from falling further behind, whilst another effort from Brown went straight at Tynan.
Liam Hatch replaced Graham at half time as Barnet reverted to a four-four-two formation and the big Barnet front man won a succession of early headers to buoy on the travelling contingent of away fans.
Nicky Bailey saw a left footed effort held by Kevin Pressman as Barnet began to see more of the ball in the opening stages in the second half. However, following a Bees attack Mansfield broke quickly to extend their lead.
Uhlenbeek received the ball on the Bees left, and although his initial cross was blocked by Bailey, his second attempt found Brown (64) who side-footed home from 6 yards.
The second goal appeared to knock back any hopes of a Barnet comeback and as was the case in the first half, the home side began to dominate once more.
Uhlenbeek saw a further effort saved by Tynan, although from the resulting corner the Stags were to get their third goal when Giles Coke played a one-two with Adam Rundle (68) who made it three.Barnet then had a goal disallowed when a Soares corner went directly into the Stags net, although Hatch was adjudged to have fouled Pressman in the Mansfield goal.
Fairclough introduced Norville and Batt and the former had a great chance to reduce the scoreline but his header flash wide.
Mansfield made the Bees pay for their miss when they raced up the other end and Stags substitute Andrian Littlejohn slid through an inch perfect pass to Barker (82) who rounded Tynan, before slotting the ball into the empty net.
Barnet could have conceded a fifth late on as backpasses from Charles and Hendon fell short, although on both occasions Tynan was there to block efforts from Littlejohn and Barker.
It was a disappointing day for the Bees, who know they can play much better than they did this afternoon. However, minds now switch to Wednesday and the Carling Cup tie away to Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Bees then face Rushden and Diamonds at Underhill next Saturday hoping to bounce back from today's result.
Jonathan Sugar
