Barnet were denied a victory in this pulsating FA Cup second round tie when Burton Albion's substitute Darren Stride, with his first touch, struck a late equaliser. The Bees had taken a first-half lead through Liam Hatch and the tie will now be settled in a replay at Underhill on Tuesday December 11.

Ashley Carew after impressing as a substitute in the game against Grimsby Town won a recall to the starting line-up with Michael Leary dropping to the bench. Nicky Nicolau was a direct replacement on the left side of midfield for the suspended Jason Puncheon. Anthony Thomas back from his loan spell at Cambridge City was also among the subs.

Both sides set to their task quickly with Neal Bishop going close from the edge of the box in the opening minutes, and Lee Harrison did well to hold onto a well driven free kick by Aaron Webster moments later.

Bishop headed against the bar from a Nicolau corner and the Bees midfielder saw the Burton keeper Kevin Poole pull off a fine save to thwart his effort after he had surged goal wards from midfield.

On 19 minutes Barnet took the lead when Adam Birchall delivered an inviting cross from the left wing that Hatch steered past Poole.

In time added on in the first half the Burton left winger Keith Gilroy took the ball at the Barnet defence and after losing a contest with the forces of gravity referee Mr Oliver adjudged the apt reward was a penalty in the home team's favour.

Webster took the resulting spot kick which Harrison saved at the first attempt and in doing so prevented Burton having the half time psychological advantage of drawing level.

In the second period Barnet continued to create goal scoring opportunities aplenty on the breakaway, but in failing to establish a two goal advantage Burton Albion could always see a route back into the tie.

The home side continued to press for an equaliser and the Bees cause was hampered when centre back Sagi Burton was stretchered off with a possible ligament injury. The news after the game was that 24 hours needs to elapse before a full diagnosis of the severity of the injury can be made.

Burton's attacks were getting more frenetic by the moment and the Bees defence was being asked questions. Hatch was often called upon to be on hand to head away free kicks and corners in his own penalty area.

From one such clearance, with only moments remaining, a Hatch header resulted in a throw in for the home side. The ball was not cleared and kindly bounced to John McGrath whose cross to the far post took a deflection off Ismail Yakubu which Stride at the far post bundled over the line.

The referee played seven minutes of added time as both sides continued to look for a winning goal . Prior to the final whistle Nicky Nicolau was sent off after being shown two yellow cards and now will miss the League 2 clash with Chester City on Tuesday night.

Both sides could probably make convincing cases as to why they alone should be in the hat tomorrow, Burton certainly had more of the game, but Barnet carved out the more clear cut chances and another opportunity to make it to the 3rd round is perhaps the just reward that each team deserves.

David Bloomfield.