A strong performance by Barnet in the second half saw the Bees sweep aside Chester City and record three vital points here at Underhill today. Cliff Akurang was the two goal hero after Albert Adomah had given the home side the lead early in the second period.

Jordan Parkes, on loan from Watford, started his first ever League match in the right back slot which allowed Joe Devera to revert to centre back where he had previously formed an excellent pairing with skipper Ismail Yakubu. Akurang was partnered up front by Anthony Thomas with Giuliano Grazioili dropping to the bench.

The first half was relatively even with both sides having opportunities to take the lead. Akurang, Thomas and Kenny Gillet both went close to breaking the deadlock but Chester too had their chances.

Just before the break a Paul Rutherford shot from 20 yards looked goal bound until Lee Harrison in the Barnet goal performed a save later described by Paul Fairclough as "world class" to deny the visitors the lead.

In the opening moments of the second half a free kick from the edge of the box by Josh Wright nearly deceived John Danby in the Chester goal and a minute later confusion by the visitors keeper and Tony Dinning led to the Bees taking the lead.

Sensing the indecision Adomah took it upon himself to intervene and with speed of thought and movement he had taken the ball around the keeper and calmly guided the ball into the back of the net.

Akurang increasingly looked dangerous as the afternoon unfolded. On one powerful gallop down the left flank, with defenders being left in his wake, he made his way into the penalty area where keeper Danby was adjudged to have brought the ex-Histon man down.

On 72 minutes Akurang the took the subsequent penalty in the style of Ian Hendon. It fairly ripped into the net, 2-0 up and the Bees had their tails up. Chester by contrast began to give up the ghost.

With ten minutes of normal time remaining an excellent cross from the right by Thomas was met by the head of Akurang whose bullet header was indicative of his all-round first class display. With five goals in his last five games Akurang is perhaps getting to grips with the demands of League 2 after stepping up from Conference level.

With Adomah the question is whether teams in this League can adapt to the challenge his quick, skilful and fearless play presents. Today even with Chester doubling up when he gained possession the ex Harrow Borough winger always had the upper hand.

In time added on Mark Hughes managed to scramble a consolation goal for Chester.

With many of the teams in the vicinity of Barnet in the League table posting good results it was imperative that the Bees recorded their sixth home victory of the season. Post match boss Fairclough was full of praise for his team who had managed to recover from their below par performance at Grimsby in midweek to deliver a performance of their own, particularly in the second half, that was thoroughly deserving of the three points.

Barnet look for their seventh home League win of the season next Saturday when the Imps from Lincoln City are the visitors to Underhill.

David Bloomfield