Adam Birchall made it four goals in three games with a brace at Underhill this afternoon.

The striker converted two close-range efforts as Barnet continued their climb up the League Two table.

After a poor first half, the Bees took control in the second, eventually running out comfortable winners, with sub Cliff Akurang adding a third late on.

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough named the same side that performed so well at Bradford on Tuesday, with midfielder-turned-central defender Michael Leary keeping the captain's armband.

Bury had the first effort, Elliott Bennett stooping to head an Andy Bishop cross goalwards, but it lacked power and did not really trouble keeper Lee Harrison.

Nicky Adams then drove a grasscutter just wide from distance, the Shakers starting confidently.

The Bees' first shot came on eight minutes, Anthony Thomas hitting a cracking 25-yard effort that was unfortunately straight at keeper Jim Provett.

At the other end, Bishop laid the ball back to defender Ben Futcher, whose placed shot was just wide.

Bennett then crossed for Adam Rooney, but his first-time effort ran through to Harrison.

It was a lively start, Albert Adomah seeing a shot blocked by a Bury defender, and then a Thomas cross having to be tipped over by Provett.

Jason Puncheon's corner caused confusion in the six-yard box, but the ball was cleared.

The game then entered a quiet spell, with little for either set of fans to get excited about.

Midway through the half, Bishop made room for himself on the edge of the box, but Harrison was equal to the shot.

The Bees were struggling to make much impact, with the visitors perhaps looking the likelier to break the deadlock, though they themselves had only really created half chances.

On 35 minutes, Nicky Nicolau crossed deep and Adomah put his header just the wrong side of the post. It was Barnet's best moment of a very ordinary half, that had started with much promise, but never really got going.

After such a good first 45 minutes at Bradford on Tuesday, this offering was something of a surprise and disappointment.

Barnet should have scored five minutes into the second half. Puncheon crossed low into the feet of Thomas, but his shot on the turn flashed across the face of the goal.

Adomah then shot just over, as the Bees attempted to raise their game.

On 55 minutes, Puncheon crossed for Adam Birchall, the little striker's header just too high.

The home side were now asking all the questions, and they were rewarded two minutes later. Neal Bishop stabbed the ball forward and Birchall, holding off a defender, steered it past Provett into the far corner from just eight yards.

It was much better from Barnet, and it was two on 70 minutes. Sub Cliff Akurang's cross left Futcher all at sea. He only succeeded in teeing the ball up for Birchall to slot home from six yards. It was a gift.

Puncheon had a chance to make it three, but dragged his shot wide after the ball sat up nicely for him. Akurang then had a shot charged down by Provett, with Puncheon firing over, as Bury struggled to clear their lines.

The Bees were now in total control, looking a different side from the one in the first half.

And it was three on 86 minutes. Birchall was denied a hat-trick by a diving Provett, but the keeper could only push his shot into the path of Akurang who stabbed home from two yards.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Devera (Parkes 90), Burton, Leary, Nicolau; Adomah, Bishop (Carew 86), Porter, Puncheon; Birchall, Thomas (Akurang 66). Subs not used: Carpenter (GK), Grazioli.

Attendance: 2,054.