Barnet’s hopes of reaching Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy were brought to an end at The Hive as the Bees were beaten 1-0 by Grimsby Town.

An early goal from Andy Cook put the visitors ahead. The striker was left unmarked from a corner and headed home.

Barnet had lacked urgency in the opening 45 minutes but improved after the break. Their pressure eventually paid off as Keanu Marsh-Brown grabbed the equaliser.

However, with five minutes remaining , the Mariners netted the winner. Cook put substitute Dayle Southwell through on goal and, despite appeals for offside, he slotted past Graham Stack to seal victory for the visitors.

There were five changes to the Barnet side. Anthony Acheampong, Mark Byrne, Elliot Johnson, Jon Nurse and Cadogan replaced Edgar Davids, Jack Saville, Ahmed Abdulla, Luke Gambin and George Sykes.

It took just six minutes for Grimsby to establish a lead. A corner was swung into the Barnet penalty area and Cook was left unmarked and headed past Graham Stack.

The visitors had made an assured start and Cook rippled the side netting with a half volley before he headed a corner wide.

The Bees found it difficult to move the ball through midfield. Grimsby won possession on two occasions and broke via Joe Colbeck. However, his strikes were blocked by Elliot Johnson and David Stephens.

Davids’ side were restricted to shots from distance and Byrne sent and effort wide before Cadogan forced James McKeown into a routine stop.

Marsh-Brown had been quiet during the opening 45 minutes but he fired a cross into the penalty area that McKeown did well to push away from danger.

The Bees best chance of the half came in the final moments. A deep free-kick from Luisma Villa almost crept in at the far post but McKeown saved. 

Neither side made a change at the interval and the Mariners remained in control after the restart. 

Barnet couldn’t find a way through stubborn Grimsby back line and Curtis Weston and Byrne were both wayward with shots from the edge of the area.

Nurse had found it difficult against the powerful visiting defence but he created a chance for Cadogan. However, the winger’s low strike from an acute angle was saved by the leg of McKeown.

Marsh-Brown sparked into life as he exchanged a pass with Byrne and sent a shot towards the bottom corner. But McKeown was alert and did well to push the ball around the post.

Cadogan then came close as he latched on to a pass from Acheampong, controlled well but sent his volley wide.

The Bees needed a goal and Jake Hyde was introduced from the bench. It was his first appearance since the beginning on October due to an ankle ligament injury.

Grimsby had rarely threatened in the second period and Barnet’s pressure eventually paid dividends as Marsh-Brown equalised.

A pass forward from Weston put the winger through on goal. He held off the challenge of a defender before slotting his shot under McKeown.

The momentum was now with the Bees and Hyde saw an effort from the edge of the area saved.

However, with five minutes remaining, Grimsby retook the lead. Cook put Southwell through and he confidently passed the ball past Stack and into the corner. The goal was contentious with the Barnet defence adament Southwell was offisde. 

A frantic period of play followed. Hyde saw a header brilliantly saved by McKeown and Nurse sent the rebound wide.

Colbeck lashed wide for the visitors before Hyde was denied a dream return as he curled a shot against the post in the final minute of the contest.

The defeat leaves the Bees with only to league to focus on this season and Barnet travel to Hyde next Saturday.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, Acheampong, Johnson; Weston, Byrne, Villa (Hyde 66); Marsh-Brown (Gambin), Cadogan (Vilhete); Nurse.

Barnet substitutes: Jupp, Abdulla.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Bignot, McDonald, Doig, Thomas; Colbeck, Disley, Rodman, Thanoj, McLaughlin (Southwell), Cook.

Grimsby Town substitutes: Hatton, Pearson, Neilson, Winfarrag.