Given their disappointing result against Accrington Stanley at the weekend it was imperative Barnet took three points against Fleetwood Town at Underhill.

In the end the Bees made it look easy despite missing five first team players due to injury and illness. 

Edgar Davids, who was suspended, watched his side control the contest. The Bees were hardly troubled by the Cod Army. Goals from Mark Byrne and Luke Gambin proved enough to overcome their lackluster opponents.

Given results elsewhere it was an important three points for the Bees. But they remain only two points above the relegation zone.

In contrast to Saturday’s defeat at Accrington, Barnet started the game brightly and Jon Nurse shot narrowly wide after a clever pass from John Oster.

The Bees controlled possession in the opening 20 minutes and the visitors struggled to create a chance of note.

Davids’ side made their dominance count midway through the first half.

Nurse cut the ball back into the area for Curtis Weston but he failed to connect clearly with his shot. The ball remained at the midfielder’s feet and he struck a low effort straight at Scott Davies.

It rebounded into the path of Byrne who fired the ball into an empty net.

Fleetwood responded and created their first chance of the half.

A cross into the Bees penalty area was met by Alan Goodall. He beat Stack to the ball but his shot went over the crossbar.

Barnet continued to threaten the Cod Army’s goal and Curtis Weston had a shot saved before Byrne sent a half volley over.

The visitors did have the ball in the net shortly before the interval as David Ball broke through and lifted his shot over Stack.

However, the assistant referee flagged for offside. Harry Crawford headed wide from a Nurse cross a minute before the break and Davids would’ve been pleased with his side’s first half performance.

Fleetwood began the second period with more urgency and the Bees didn’t press as well as they had in the opening 45 minutes.

Gareth Evans headed a cross at Stack from eight yards. It was an important turning point in the match as five minutes later the Bees scored their second goal.

There seemed little danger when a long pass forward drifted towards Shaun Beeley. However, the defender waited for his goalkeeper to come and collect the ball.

Davies was hesitant and when he did try and gather the pass, Beeley headed it towards him. Gambin had chased down the pass and had the easy task of running onto the ball and tapped into the net.

The goal knocked the confidence of the Fleetwood side and despite changes in attack they didn’t threaten Stack.

Jon Nurse wasted a good opportunity for the Bees when he shot instead of passing to the unmarked Harry Crawford.

The Cod Army almost pulled a goal back in the final ten minutes when a free kick found Nathan Pond at the back post.

He flicked the ball back into the six yard box but the Bees were able to clear. It was the only scare Barnet had in the final stages.

Fleetwood offered very little throughout the contest and didn’t create another opportunity.

It was an important three points for the Bees. They are still just two points clear of the relegation zone but have back-to-back home matches to come.

Cheltenham Town visit Underhill on Saturday. Another three points will be needed.

Barnet: Stack; Fuller, Stephens, Flanagan, Brown; Weston, Byrne, Oster; Nurse (Vose 90), Gambin; Crawford.

Barnet substitutes: Kamdjo, Yiadom, Vilhete, N'Toko, Barnes, Beattie, Vose.

Fleetwood Town: Davies; Beeley, Atkinson, Pond, Goodall (McLaughlin 45); Brown, Barry, Nicholson, Evans; Parkin (Matt 70), Ball (Crowther 60).

Fleetwood Town substitutes: Lucas, McNulty, Matt, McLaughlin, McGuire, Edwards, Crowther.

Attendance: 1,731 (87).