Barnet manager Dean Brennan criticised the physical approach of the opposition as his table-topping Bees side edged 10-man Aldershot 1-0 in the National League on Tuesday.

The Irishman, after a passionate plea for the backing of his supporters recently, lamented the aggressive nature of the Shots and called for more protection of his players from the officials.

“It was frustrating. Obviously, good to get a clean sheet and good to win,” he told the club’s media.

“We didn’t give up many chances. In the first half, I thought we were progressive with our play, and then obviously the red card happens.

"I actually thought the player (Theo) Widdrington, the manager's son, was cowardly with the challenge on Glover. It was an elbow in the back of the head, and then I’ve just seen he’s kicked all our bottles as well. Unbelievable.

“I see him in the first minute. I think the referee should get hold of the game where he clatters Shelton from side on and he doesn’t even have a word with him. I thought the red card was a clear red card. It’s a disgusting challenge.

"Gamesmanship is going to come into it and from their point of view, they’re trying to get an entry. They’re down to 10 men, and they’re making it difficult for us.

“But I thought our progressive play and our final third play were crap. In the second half, I mean.”

Despite another win on the road, the Bees boss asked for more from his players in the final third and pointed to the performances of individuals as to why the struggles in front of goal continue.

“Our attacking players never produced,” said a frustrated Brennan.

“Idris (Kanu) had a good performance. Glover didn’t really produce a lot. Brunt never produced anything of quality or note. Bailey’s hit the inside of the post in the first half; great save by their goalkeeper, to be fair.

“We’ve come here, it’s a tough place to come. We’ve come here with eight players injured, so people will say ‘oh injuries and all that lark’, but if those players hadn’t been injured and went and had the careers they had, they wouldn't be playing at this level. It’s as simple as that. They’d play much higher.

“That’s the risk we take, and that’s the finances we have.”

On the performance itself, Brennan seemed ultimately proud of the defensive effort his side put in throughout the 90 minutes.

“I thought as a team and as a collective, we dug deep. We did well when we had to and made some good clearances," he added.

“Idris cleared the ball away from second balls on the edge of his box. Stuff that you have to do if you’re going to have success. You’re not just going to have it all your own way, and I just think we missed our classier players today.”

Barnet will be hoping their fine form will continue on Saturday when they welcome AFC Fylde to the Hive.

Having beaten local rivals Wealdstone 3-0 at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday, with goals from Mark Shelton, Callum Stead and Nicke Kabamba, the Bees top the National League for the first time this season.