Akinde is promised more pain by Allen

MARTIN ALLEN believes striker John Akinde can become even better – as long as he does not mind continuing to work with the Barnet boss.

The 27-year-old was on target for the Bees in this victory over Accrington to hand his side a first victory of the season.

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro was also on the scoresheet.

Allen was pleased to pick up a maiden win of the campaign before giving his thoughts on the opening scorer.

“Accrington are a good side and, being the third game in a week, it was a difficult game,” he said.

“I think John Akinde epitomises the spirit of everyone here. He has worked extremely hard to get a better level of consistency in his game, but he still needs to work on it and be more consistent.

“I personally work him hard in training and, when he plays like he did today, then Johnboy is unplayable if I can keep him going.

“He’s going to have to work with me, if he likes it or not, then anything can happen.”

After an even first 24 minutes, Barnet started to control the half and nearly opened the scoring via skipper Michael Nelson, who saw his header blocked on the line by Mark Hughes.

They did break the deadlock nine minutes later as Elliott Johnson’s lovely ball over the top found Akinde.

He beat the offside trap and calmly fired a shot past Aaron Chapman.

The Bees maintained control and, three minutes after replacing the injured Michael Gash, Akpa Akpro found himself with the ball outside the area.

He struck his effort perfectly into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Accrington were let down by their final ball during the game, but Chris Eagles and Sean McConville forced fine saves from Josh Vickers in injury time.

After the match, Jon Coleman criticised the his side’s display.

He said: “We didn’t serve up enough of a performance for the fans. “We were allowed a lot of the ball and we didn’t really do anything with it.

“Barnet were more clinical when they had their chances and that’s why I think they were worthy winners.

“We produced some nice, pretty play but there was no cutting edge and we’ve got to be better than that.

“I don’t think it hurt them enough, though.

“I didn’t see enough desire there.

“That’s a worry considering the desire we showed in the last two matches to stay in the game.”