Barnet were forced to settle for a second consecutive National League draw after sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw at home to Braintree Town.

The Essex club, playing their second game back following promotion last term, began the brighter and were the better of the two sides in the opening 45 minutes following their 2-0 reverse to Halifax on Saturday.

John Still’s Bees, meanwhile, showed character to respond from the setback of going behind to level mid-way through the second half courtesy of substitute Shaquille Coulthirst and make it two points from two matches.

Braintree were, rather uncharacteristically for an away side, on the front foot early on at the Hive with Christie Pattison forcing Dan Sparkes into a block before Jonathan Muleba hit an effort just past the post.

Up the other end, Barnet’s best sighter came courtesy of Charlee Adams, who saw his deft flick from point blank range denied by an excellent save from Ben Killip.

However, it was the visitors who snatched the lead in fortuitous circumstances after 35 minutes when the unfortunate Jack Taylor steered a low cross past Mark Cousins and into his own net.

Undeterred by that setback the hosts continued to press, and early in the second half might have levelled as Adams launched an effort that cannoned into the post.

Still introduced Coulthirst from the bench as the replacement for Josh Walker, and the former-Tottenham youngster would make an immediate impression just four minutes later.

Good work by Sparkes out wide found the lively attacker and he prodded home with 62 minutes played to level the match at 1-1.

This was now Barnet’s game and, determined to seize the initiative, they continued to press in search of the winner.

New signing Medy Elito saw his effort blocked, Elliot Johnson crashed an effort over the crossbar, and Byron Harrison was close to connecting with Coulthirst’s cross but the game ended all-square.

Barnet: Cousins, Alexander, Johnson, Robson, Adams, Harrison, Sparkes, J. Taylor, Elito (Mason-Clark 72), Walker (Coulthirst 59), Sweeney. Subs not used: Matrevics, Fonguck, Payne.