Barnet were knocked out the Football League Trophy first round 1-0 at Yeovil Town this evening, despite the Glovers failing to have a shot on target.

Both sides were poor but it was the Somerset side who advanced thanks to Bira Dembele's calamitous first-half own goal.

Whether or not Martin Allen will be bothered by the Bees' defeat remains to be seen. But the Bees boss gave a good indicator of his commitment to this competition by introducing Matt Stevens in place of John Akinde at half time.

Allen made his full five changes as permitted under the competition's rules with Andy Yiadom, Sam Togwell and Michael Gash all rested as they recovered from knocks. Bondz N'Gala and Mauro Vilhete also dropped out.

Centre-back N'Gala dropped to the bench with Michael Nelson taking his place in the side. Vilhete was replaced by Ben Tomlinson down the left-hand flank with the Portuguese given the night off.

Shaun Batt came in for Yiadom down the right, whilst Tom Champion took Togwell's place and Aaron McLean was in for Gash.

Yeovil boss Paul Sturrock named former Bee Iffy Allen amongst his substitutes. Centre-back Omar Sowunmi was selected up front by the Scot in an experimental decision.

The Bees' evening got off to a far-from-ideal start as left-back Johnson was forced off after just eight minutes with what appeared to be an injury, to be replaced by Sam Muggleton.

John Akinde had already had his first sight of goal by that stage, turning and testing Glovers goalkeeper Artur Krysiak with an effort which lacked venom.

McLean was next to go close for the visitors, lining up an audacious free-kick from fully 40 yards before clipping the top of the hosts' crossbar with a powerful blast.

Muggleton's long throw created a chance for Dembele in the 20th minute but he could only guide his header over the bar.

But the French centre-back did find the back of the net eight minutes before half time. Unfortunately he scored past his own keeper, Jamie Stephens, comically contriving to slice a Harry Cornick cross into his own net.

That was it for first-half action and the same pattern followed after the break in a forgettable and insipid encounter.

Both sides were struggling to create chances, though the Bees went close when Champion met a free-kick following a foul on Muggleton, heading against the crossbar.

Skipper Curtis Weston tried his luck a few minutes later but could only lash wide from distance.

Chances remained at a premium with Yeovil's Bournemouth loanee, Cornick, seeing an effort deflected over after motoring past Weston.

With ten minutes remaining the Glovers went closer still, Shaun Jeffers breezing into space before firing over from six yards as he went to ground, passing up the chance to kill off Barnet's threat for good.

Former Barnet winger Allen came on with nine minutes remaining and quickly created a chance for fellow substitute Jordan Gibbons, who shot just wide from distance after receiving the winger's pass.

Yeovil Town: Krysiak; Roberts, Arthurworrey, Lacey, Smith; Wakefield (Gibbons 33), Dolan, Cornick, Compton (Allen 81); Jeffers, Sowunmi (Bird 64).

Subs: Weale (GK), Beck.

Barnet: Stephens; Hoyte, Nelson, Dembele, Johnson (Muggleton 7); Batt (Gondoh 56), Weston, Champion, Tomlinson; Akinde (Stevens HT), McLean.

Subs: N'Gala, Gambin.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Attendance: 1,203 (87 away supporters).