Sub Mark Marshall rescued Barnet with a 75th-minute equaliser at Underhill this afternoon.

He curled a free-kick into the corner from a central position to earn the Bees a deserved point.

This was not a pretty match and there were few chances at either end, but it would have been cruel on the hosts if they had not gained anything.

After a shock Bury opener at the start of the second period, Barnet raised their game, the performance at least a big improvement on last weekend's 7-0 drubbing at Crewe.

Barnet boss Mark Stimson gave the on-loan Phil Walsh the job of lone striker, with Ricky Holmes moving to the right at the expense of Marshall.

Also recalled was midfielder Rossi Jarvis, for Mark Hughes, while Joe Devera came in for Jordan Parkes.

It was a quiet first half, with little goalmouth action at either end.

Bury had a couple of efforts from long range, but Barnet keeper Jake Cole was not really troubled.

In fact, it was not until ten minutes before the break that the Bees had their first shot, Glen Southam seeing his 20-yard drive soar just over the bar.

Cole made a bit of a meal of a long-range Michael Jones drive just before the interval, but the visitors could not capitalise on his spill.

Barnet started the second half a little brighter, Holmes seeing a cross-cum-shot going straight at keeper Cameron Belford.

But it was Bury who struck on 55 minutes, Ryan Lowe bursting through and hitting a crisp shot that beat Cole and went in off the post. It was a lovely finish and there was little the Barnet shotstopper could do to keep it out.

A slip-up from Devera almost gifted Bury a second, but Andy Howarth scuffed his shot wide. It was a let-off for the defender.

At the other end, Mark Byrne drilled well over, as the Bees looked to raise their game.

And they almost came up with an equaliser on 65 minutes. Holmes laid the ball wide to Southam and he kept his half-volley down, but Belford pushed the ball away. When it was pumped back into the box, Byrne threw himself bravely at it, but the ball finished over the bar.

At least Barnet were now starting to look like they could find the net.

And, with 15 minutes to go, sub Marshall curled a free-kick into the corner from 25 yards. The winger looked as surprised as anyone that the ball found its way in, but it was deserved and heartily celebrated by the relieved home players.

BARNET (4-1-4-1): Cole; Devera, Uddin, Dennehy, Leach; Jarvis; Holmes, Southam (Hughes 90), Byrne, Poole (Marshall 61); Walsh.

Subs not used: Carpenter, Parkes, Kamdjo, Stimson, Kelly.

Attendance: 1,563.