Edgar Davids was again absent as Barnet ended their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Cypriot side AEL Limassol.

The Bees head coach missed the game due to a ‘prior arranged personal engagement’ and his side fell behind when Orlando Sa flicked a header past goalkeeper Nick Jupp.

Limassol doubled their lead shortly after half time when Tiago Targino took advantage of a poor Jupp touch to fire home.

Barnet’s consolation arrived in the 89th minute as Marciano Mengerink smashed a low drive into the bottom corner.

Davids’ absence meant Barnet’s midfield trio consisted of Roberto Casabella, Mark Byrne and Curtis Weston.

It was a combination that worked and Barnet moved the ball swiftly across the pitch for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.

The Bees’ first chance came fell to Jake Hyde. Luke Gambin did well to divert the ball into the striker’s path and his low shot was saved by Karim Fegrouche.

Former Fulham striker Sa was the visitors' main threat and he forced trialist goalkeeper Jupp into a routine stop with an effort from the edge of the box.

There was little to separate the two sides but Limassol went ahead shortly before the half hour as a free-kick into the penalty area was flicked in by Sa.

It was a disappointing goal to concede but Barnet reacted well and Hyde had two efforts on target saved by Fegrouche.

The visitors made two changes as the break and it took Targino just two minutes to make an impact.

The striker chased down a back-pass and a poor touch from Jupp allowed him to take the ball around the goalkeeper and fire past the covering Andy Yiadom.

Limassol came close to adding a third soon after as a fine cross into the Bees penalty area was met by Cassio Vargas but his header narrowly missed the post.

Barnet failed to really test Fegrouche in the second period but Hyde did rattle the post with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.

The Limassol goalkeeper did have to be alert however to claw away a goal-bound header from Bees centre-back David Stephens.

Barnet were rewarded for their hard work as they pulled a goal back in the final minute.

Mengerink advanced on goal before smashing a shot past substitute Limassol goalkeeper Georgiou from 20 yards. 

It couldn’t help Barnet avoid defeat but gave them something positive to take from a well-contested match.

The next time the Bees take to the pitch will be next Saturday and they will be kicking off their Skill Premier campaign against Chester at The Hive Stadium.

Barnet: Jupp, Yiadom, Vilcu, Stephens, Johnson; Roberto (Nurse 75), Weston, Byrne; Gambin (Marciano 69), Marsh-Brown (Luisma 63), Hyde (Sykes 75).

Barnet substitutes: Barnes, Brown, Saville, Vose, Vilhete, Allen, Luisma, Nurse, Sykes, Marciano AEL Limassol: Fergrouche (Georgiou 80), Airosa, Kyriacou (Targino 45), Gaucho (Theophilou 77), Quiame, Dede (Nicolaou 61), Bebe, Sa (Ouon 45), Vargas, Monteiro (Schetti 66), Edmar (Andoh 77).

AEL Limassol substitutes: Edu, Ouon, Embalo, Ohene, Targino, Nicolaou, Romero, Theophilou, Andoh, carlitos, Sachetti.

Attendance: 734