BARNET manager Paul Fairclough had told man of the moment Jason Puncheon that he would be happy with a tap-in.

But the red-hot winger does not score goals like that, and he delivered another cracker from outside the box to give the Bees their first win of the season on Saturday.

Puncheon's fourth goal in four games could not have been better timed, his curling free-kick coming in the final minute of injury time.

Puncheon said: "It's one of the best free-kicks I've ever scored. Everyone keeps telling me that I score wonder goals and never tap-ins, but I'll take anything as long as it helps out Barnet." Fairclough added: "If you saw that goal on Match of the Day, they would be showing it over and over again. When you have someone like Jason Puncheon in your side, you always have a chance."

Giant keeper Donovan Ricketts got his hands to the ball, but did well to do even that, the sheer pace and precision taking it into the top corner.

It was the perfect finale to a rip-roaring contest that Barnet were perhaps fortunate to have won, the Bantams having had the hosts on the rack at one point in the second half. Of course, the Bees were long overdue some good luck.

Fairclough added: "The win has been a long time coming. It was a fortuitous victory but we played so well in the first half and could have been 2-0 or even 3-0 up at the break.

"I was disappointed with the way we started the second half and we were fortunate to still be in the game."

Both sides had their chances in a lively opening. Lee Harrison had to be alert to tip over an Omar Daley cross-cum-shot, while Adam Birchall had two opportunities in between that effort, but shot wide with the first and found the keeper's midriff with the second.

City's Barry Conlon was then denied by the outstretched boot of Harrison after being put free along the left.

Barnet soon began to take control, with Anthony Thomas and Adam Birchall combining well for the latter to test Ricketts with a 25-yard thunderbolt that the keeper did well to turn over.

From an Ashley Carew corner, Joe Devera's near-post header clipped the bar. Both sides were to hit the woodwork twice in the game.

The Barnet opener finally came two minutes before the interval, Puncheon's whipped-in free-kick coming off the heel of Eddie Johnson and flashing past Ricketts at his near post. It was the luck Barnet had been missing in recent games.

City started the second half strongly and were level within seven minutes, Johnson making amends by beating Harrison with a cracking shot from just outside the box.

Thomas drove over at the other end almost immediately from the restart, but it was the Bantams who were now in control.

Daley was gifted three superb chances to put his side in front. He poked the first, from a Conlon knock-down, just wide with only Harrison to beat and then clipped the outside of the post after being put in the clear by Conlon again.

The same player struck the post a second time just a few minutes later after making room for himself on the edge of the box. Barnet weathered the storm and began to create chances themselves in the final stages.

And it was Puncheon who came the closest five minutes from time, his free-kick coming back off the bar. Fortunately for the Bees, his second free-kick five minutes later was even more precise.

Puncheon was man of the match for his wonder strike, but a number of Bees could have earned that accolade, including debutant Kenny Gillet who effortlessly slotted in at left-back. Fellow defenders Joe Devera, Ismail Yakubu and Sagi Burton were also all in fine form, while Max Porter distinguished himself in the centre of midfield.

Bradford will wonder how they came away with nothing. They looked the best side Barnet have played in the league this season, but some might have said that of the unlucky Bees in recent games and, as Fairclough pointed out, the luck usually evens itself out.