It was honours even at London Road as Peterborough United and Barnet played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Coca-Cola League 2.
However, it was the Bees who may the leave the more frustrated of the two sides having twice taken the lead in what was an improved away performance by Paul Fairclough's men following last week's 3-0 defeat at GrimsbyTown.
Fairclough started with a 4-5-1 formation with Liam Hatch playing as a lone striker, whilst captain for the afternoon Simon King played in front of a back four of Barry Fuller, Ismail Yakubu, Anthony Charles and Simon Clist. Ross Flitney returned in goal whilst there were also starts in midfield for Nicky Bailey, Dean Sinclair, Dwane Lee and Andy Hessenthaler.
As expected Ian Hendon, Tresor Kandol, Jason Norville and Giuliano Grazioli missed the trip to Peterborough with injury whilst Ben Strevens
and Matt Reed dropped down to the substitutes bench.
Barnet started brightly and had their opponents on the back foot early on with the Bees five man midfield seeing a lot of possession in the opening stages.
Both Bailey and Sinclair were looking to push forward at every opportunity whilst a disciplined performance by King was allowing Hessenthaler to advance further upfield than usual.The home side, who were missing their captain Dean Holden through suspension, were struggling to retain possession of the ball and debutant striker Njazi Kuqi, who signed on loan from Premiership side Birmingham City on Thursday, and the pacy Danny Crow were seeing little of the ball early on for the Posh.
In fact, Barnet's early incentive was soon to reward them with their opening goal in what was the first strike of any note in the match.
A free kick from the half way line by Bailey put the home defence under pressure and Sean St.Ledger's attempted clearance struck King on the leg. The ball feel kindly to Hessenthaler who made no mistake from 10 yards out to score his first goal for the Bees.
Not content to sit on their lead, Barnet continued to attack and the home crowd's frustration was becoming evident as their side were struggling to mount an attack on the Bees goal.
In fact, it was very nearly 2-0 to Fairclough's men in the 25th minute when a Hatch header from a long Lee throw went just over Mark Tyler's crossbar.
The Bees were looking comfortable but they were soon reminded why Peterborough occupied a play-off position prior to kick-off when a quick counter attack in the 31st minute saw Crow lay the ball off to Ryan Semple. The winger played an inch perfect ball across goal where the on-rushing Peter Gain saw his fine effort cannon off of a post and away to safety.
This move buoyed the home side on and just seven minutes later a deep cross by left back Peter Kennedy was headed across goal by St.Ledger and, but for a fine save by Flitney, Crow's powerful right footed strike would have put the Posh level.
The second half was again entertaining and just six minutes after the interval the Posh twice came close to levelling proceedings.
Firstly Captain Paul Corden saw his fine effort tipped round a post by Flitney and, from the resulting corner by St.Ledger, both Crow and Semple saw efforts blocked by King and Charles respectively.
Two minutes later, though, and the Bees were to concede their first goal of the game. A long ball by Peter Gain sailed perfectly over the heads of Yakubu and Charles and with Crow heading towards goal, Flitney rushed out of his area to claim the ball but the Posh striker got to the ball first and lobbed his effort into the empty net for his 11th goal of the season.
Despite conceding, though, Barnet were not content to settle for a point and in the 58th minute Dwane Lee's fine header from a Bailey free kick was well saved by Tyler in the Peterborough goal.
Crow then headed wide for the Posh in the 65th minute and then two minutes later his fine strike was tipped round a post by Flitney following fine work on the left by Jamie Day.
From the resulting corner Flitney was to come to the rescue once more for the Bees, this time saving St.Ledger's low strike from 12 yards with his legs.
Just as Barnet were seemingly coming under pressure from the home side, they were to go straight down the other end and regain the lead with arguably the best goal of the game.
A fine pass by Hessenthaler in the 70th minute found Lee on the Barnet right and, despite having three Peterborough defenders around him, the Bees midfielder produced a low cross which Sinclair controlled at the front post. His cheeky back-heal fell nicely to Fuller who riffled the ball in to the top of the net from eight yards out for his goal for the club.
Sadly for Fairclough's side the lead only lasted for five minutes as once more Peterborough were to draw level when substitute Richard Logan fired home from 10 yards as the Bees failed to clear a St.Ledger corner.
Both sides continued to press for the winning goal in the final ten minutes but it was Barnet who were to have the only real chance to seal the three points.
A superb passing move involving Sinclair, substitute Paolo Vernazza and Hatch, saw the latter turn Mark Arber superbly but he could only direct his shot over Tyler's crossbar from 15 yards out.The referee signalled the end of a compelling contest moments later and the Barnet players left the London Road pitch to rapturous applause from the travelling Bees fans.
Away Attendance: 605
Report: Jonathan Sugar
Photography: Andy Lister
