Barnet head coach Edgar Davids felt his side made “two or three big steps forward” in their 4-1 victory against Morecambe.

Barnet had fallen behind when Jack Redshaw fired past Graham Stack but a fine second half display saw the Bees turn the match around.

Luke Gambin, in his first start for the club, headed in from close range before Dani Lopez put the Bees ahead.

Barnet were then awarded a penalty after Gambin was brought down by Barry Roche. The foul meant the Shrimps’ goalkeeper was shown a red card.

Lopez dispatched the spot kick and then rounded off his hat-trick four minutes from time when he tapped in from close range.

Davids said: “I am very, very pleased. We bounced back well from a defeat against Plymouth. Also I think Morecambe was the benchmark for us to see how much we have grown.

“When we played them a couple of months ago we were well beaten. That was not only because of our own errors but we were outplayed in that game.

“We have played them today and they are a better team that Plymouth. But I saw just one team playing.

“Tactically today we outplayed them and we were determined to win the game.

“I’m very happy because we made two or three big steps forward. Of course there are things we can improve but I’m happy we are moving forward.

“Like I said, Morecambe was the benchmark and we have succeeded in outplaying them.”

Davids praised Gambin’s display and also was pleased with the performance of Mauro Vilhete.

The decision to start with the two young wingers was undoubtedly a bold move but the Dutchman said: “It is always a risk if you play with youngsters because you never know what to expect, it is like a box of chocolates. This time though they were sweet.”

Lopez’s hat-trick will get the headlines but Davids revealed he was not pleased with the Spanish striker’s first half display.

He explained: “I was pleased with the second half but not so much with the first half. In the first half he came too deep and the link ups were not tight. 

“There were words exchanged at half time but Dani Lopez, even though for me he didn’t play a brilliant game, has the extra quality to pull a rabbit out of the hat. That is the quality he has.”