FA CUP FIRST ROUND LOACH IS LOOKING A BORN WINNER

SCOTT LOACH helped Barnet to another cup shock in an extraordinary few days where he missed the birth of his third child.

The keeper was magnificent in a heroic display by the Bees, who played more than half the tie with 10 men.

The win came six days after Loach could not be present when his wife Anouska gave birth by caesarean section because she had tested positive for Covid- 19. He said: “Heart and passion got us through that today.

“This tops off a superb week for me having my third child. I want to publicly thank the club as they’ve been unbelievable after my wife had a C- section on Monday.

“It’s been a surreal time. I wasn’t allowed in to see the birth. I had to wait out of the way for 45 minutes to see my daughter.”

National League Barnet, who made the fourth round two years ago, took the lead on 10 minutes when Wes Fonguck beat Burton keeper Kieran O’hara from the edge of the box ( above).

JJ Hooper should have made it 2- 0 just before the break but was denied in a one- on- one by O’hara. Within seconds, Barnet had Matt Preston sent off for bringing down Niall Ennis.

The League One visitors dominated the second half but could not find a way through, Ennis hitting the bar, Kane Hemmings lifting the ball over an empty goal from two yards out and Loach forced into a string of saves.

Barnet manager Peter Beadle said: “We’ve shown great character.”

Albion boss Jake Buxton said: “It was one of those days. We wouldn’t score if we were still playing now.”