Barnet produced a dominant first-half display to see off London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge at Underhill this evening.
The Bees came into the game without a win in three, but they were quick off the blocks to take control in what turned out to be a one-sided opening 45 minutes.
Strikers Paul Furlong and John O'Flynn struck to give the Daggers a mountain to climb after the break, John Still's troops never looking like staging a dramatic comeback.
These two sides came into the game as League Two's surprise packages, but it was the hosts, who started the day in eighth, who went home happy, a rather subdued Dagenham failing to recapture the form that had propelled them to second place in the table.
Barnet almost got off to a dream start, Yannick Bolasie seeing Tony Roberts push out his shot within a minute.
Roberts was again out quickly to deny O'Flynn, the Barnet striker's first touch just a little too heavy, giving the Dagenham keeper the advantage in the race for the ball.
The Bees got the goal they deserved on 20 minutes. Bolasie freed Kenny Gillet on the left and his cross was met first time by the incoming Furlong, the ball flashing past Roberts from just six yards out. It was an incisive move that left the Dagenham defence standing.
The hosts were looking good, the Daggers struggling to get a foothold in the game.
Bolasie continued to be the main Barnet threat, his pace a constant menance to the visitors.
Dagenham's first shot on goal came just a few minutes before the break, but Danny Green's curling free-kick did not overly trouble home keeper Jake Cole.
A minute later, Cole had to dive low to push out a Paul Benson drive, after the striker had been freed down the right by Josh Scott, the latter having dispossessed Gillet.
But, on the stroke of half-time, Bolasie cut inside and was felled just inside the box by Scott Doe.
O'Flynn sent Roberts the wrong way from the spot, doubling the lead with the perfect penalty.
The Daggers were forced to go for it in the second half and they started much more positively, Ismail Yakubu doing well to clear a dangerous Benson centre.
However, the visitors continued to struggle to create clear-cut chances.
Midway through the half, Green lined up another free-kick, but it was hit straight into the home wall.
At the other end, Micah Hyde saw a shot on the turn sail well over.
It was a scrappy second period, neither side able to stamp their authority, the Bees happy to soak up the little pressure there was.
Dagenham's best effort came in stoppage time, Peter Gain clipping the bar with a drive from the angle of the box, but it was too little, too late.
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