IRON RALLY BUT ARE STUNG BY THE BEES
A BRAINTREE rally that saw the Iron, from a two-goal deficit, draw level in the second-half was not enough as the Bees re-asserted their superiority with a strong finish to run out convincing winners.
Braintree opened positively but Barnet took the lead in the fifth minute when David Tutonda was on hand to score from close range when the wingback followed up an attempt on goal by Manny Duku.
Dan Thompson missed a glorious opportunity for an equaliser in the 14th minute when he failed to make any connection as the ball flashed across the six-yard box. The miss was costly as a minute later the influential Jack Taylor scored a simple tap-in for Barnet’s second when Duku’s original shot was blocked.
With Barnet in cruise control, the Iron got a toe-hold in the game in time added on at the end of the first-half when Reece Grant capitalised on defensive failings from a corner to poke in.
The visitors then deservedly levelled in the 65th minute through Lyle DellaVerde’s crisply struck volley.
Barnet substitute Elliott Johnson’s deft header from a pinpoint cross from Cheye Alexander put the Bees back in the lead in the 73rd minute and the tie was put beyond the Iron by Alexander’s well-struck free kick from 20 yards.