BEES BROUGHT BACK TO EARTH

BARNET boss Martin Allen felt his side paid the price for a dip in standards as they lost their five-game unbeaten run.

Luton took the lead through Danny Green’s rasping strike on 25 minutes, before the Bees threatened early in the second half.

However, Cameron McGeehan’s eighth goal of the campaign midway through the half put the result beyond doubt.

“I think we did alright, but it was just about alright and to come here you’ve got to do better than alright,” said Allen.

“After we weathered the initial storm, I thought we were in control. We had several good opportunities where crosses have gone across the six-yard box but no-one’s been in there to convert or get ahead of their defenders.

“We’ve got to make those chances happen.When you come here you’ve got to be on your game.

“At 1-0, I wouldn’t say we were dominating the game, but everything was down at their end.They’ve scored on the counter attack which is disappointing.

“Over the past month the whole squad has been absolutely fantastic but I think it’s fair to say we dipped below our standards.”

Luton broke the deadlock on 25 minutes as Josh McQuoid burst forward to tee up the recalled Green who lashed his shot past Jamie Stephens from the edge of the box.

McGeehan then tried his luck from distance twice, with Stephens having to change direction to save the second deflected attempt.

McQuoid almost scored himself, his header from Alex Lawless’ cross forcing Stephens to palm behind.

Barnet should have levelled immediately after the break as John Akinde side-footed Andy Yiadom’s cross wide.

The Hatters threatened sporadically, their best chance falling to Jonathan Smith, who couldn’t keep his volley from 12 yards down. McQuoid then sent a curler wide, before he had his second assist on 67 minutes, beating the offside trap and his cross seeing McGeehan sweep home the rebound after Smith’s shot had been saved.

Smith and McGeehan came close to a clinching third, but Barnet couldn’t respond, as Luton moved up to tenth in the table with a third straight win.

And Hatters boss John Still was delighted with a display that saw his side win at home for the first time since September 26.

Still said: “It was a strong performance and first half I thought we were better than the scoreline.

“Second half we said it would be tough, I wanted to play the ball a bit shorter due to the conditions.

“It took us 15 minutes to get into it, but give them their due, they threw men forward without creating chances.

“When we got our second one, I thought we were comfortable. We defended really well for the whole game and I really think we can push on.

“I was really pleased all round as we needed in these conditions to be quite committed and we were.”