An hour and a half delay to the scheduled start due to a power failure in the area did not affect Barnet striker Tresor Kandol who scored 29 minutes into his Barnet debut.
The striker, who signed from Dagenham and Redbridge last week, gave his new side a single goal victory in a tight but entertaining game at Underhill.
After two minutes, though, it was Kandol's strike partner who nearly gave the Bees an early lead. Giuliano Grazioli, captain for the day, pounced onto a long Bailey pass and, despite controlling the ball superbly, the strikers finish lacked power and the ball trickled safely threw to Shrewsbury goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Barnet started the game well and it was not long before Grazioli had his second attempt on goal but last seasons top scorer saw his 25 yard strike sail high over the bar after more good work by Kandol.
Fellow new signing Stevland Angus, due to make his Bees debut, had to pull out of the game due to illness, whilst recent recruit Barry Fuller kept his place at right back meaning club captain Ian Hendon saw his return from suspension result in a place on the bench.
Nevertheless, despite the absence of their leader on the pitch, the Bees were playing some neat football with Andy Hessenthaler, playing his second game for Barnet following his arrival from Gillingham earlier in the month, dominating the early exchanges in the midfield.
In the 16th minute Kandol controlled the ball superbly from a long Ross Flitney goal kick and despite advancing into the penalty box, the striker saw his effort go wide.
The Bees were dealt a blow in the 21st minute when centre back Simon King suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Hendon in the centre of the Bees defence.
Nevertheless, Shrewsbury were struggling to retain possession of the ball and it was not until the 24th minute before they had their first effort on goal. A corner from the left by Jamie Tolley was headed clear by Anthony Charles but the ball fell to Neil Sorvel on the edge of the box but the midfielder's fine strike went just wide of Flitney's left hand post.
A minute later and the away side had strong claims for a penalty turned down when a long Hart goal kick landed in the Bees penalty area and with Kevin Langmead about to strike, Charles' challenge on the striker was deemed fair by referee Booth much to the amazement of the Town players and supporters.
Langmead then saw his 26th minute strike go inches wide and Barnet made the Shrews pay for that miss three minutes later when Kandol netted his first Bees goal.
The former Dagenham and Redbridge front man controlled Flitney's long goal kick on his chest before turning and advancing towards goal. The Shrews backed off and Kandol hit a powerful low drive from 20 yards which nestled into the bottom right hand corner of Hart's net.
It was a fine finish by Kandol who followed up the goal with an equally exquisite celebration - several back flips and a somersault.
Shrewsbury did not let their heads drop and nearly forced the equaliser in the 31st minute when a corner by Kevin Sharp was only half cleared by the Bees. The ball fell to Sorvel on the edge of the box but Fuller was back on the line to head the ball away for a corner.
With half time approaching Barnet looked content to go in at the break a goal to the good but it could so easily of been two when Nicky Bailey, playing in the centre of the Bees midfield, won the ball in his own half and carried the ball all the way into the Town penalty area but the strike had more power than accuracy and went over Hart's crossbar.
The second half saw the away side dominate for long periods but the Bees restricted Gary Peter's side to few chances in front of goal.
In fact, it was the Bees who had the first effort of the half when Soares 58th minute corner was headed back across goal by Kandol. The ball landed at Dean Sinclair's feet but the midfielder dragged his effort wide from six yards.
Kandol then saw his 61st minute effort held by Hart whilst Sorvel saw his strike at the other end go over Flitney's crossbar.
In the 86th minute Barnet could have, and really should have, sealed victory. Sinclair won the ball just inside the Shrewsbury half, and with a clear run at goal, the midfielder over ran the ball. Hart pounced on the lose ball but Sinclair appeared to kick the ball out of his hands, and despite rolling the ball into the empty net, the referee had already blown his whistle to signal a fowl on the Town goalkeeper.
Shrewsbury went straight up field and nearly made the Bees pay for that missed chance but substitute Colin McMenamin headed just wide of Flitney's right hand post.
Glynn Hurst then saw the Bees keeper hold his 88th minute strike and despite the Shrews goalkeeper coming up field for two late corners, the Bees deservedly earnt the three points and denied their opponents a return back to Shropshire with a share of the spoils.
Jonathan Sugar
