A point at Sixfields on most days would be seen as a good return.

But Barnet boss Paul Fairclough, who has the job of steering the Bees to League Two safety, was a little disappointed after the 0-0 stalemate at Northampton Town.

Although the Bees have lost only two games since Fairclough came in for Mark Stimson, the former knows that three points are what Barnet really need at the moment.

Most of the teams struggling at the foot of the table have games in hand over the Bees, so Fairclough is well aware that time is running out.

He said: "It was a great point (at Northampton) but it's not enough for what we need at the moment.

"We are doing well away from home now and grinding out points. It was a fair result, but we need more. We'll keep working at it."

Barnet were indeed good value for the draw. They certainly matched a side that had hit six in their previous game.

Fairclough continued: "It was a good day's work, so that makes it the more frustrating."

The Bees hit the woodwork in the first half and Fairclough added: "If that had gone in, it might have been a different story. We were looking good at that point."

Clovis Kamdjo was the unlucky player. He met Mark Marshall's first-half corner, only to see his effort hacked off the line. Kamdjo then got his head to the ball as the Cobblers struggled to clear their lines, but this time the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Northampton also hit the woodwork, after the break, Billy McKay meeting a superb Paul Rogers cross, only to see the ball strike the underside of the bar and bounce to safety.

Barnet keeper Jake Cole also had to pull off a fine save to keep out a Ryan Gilligan header, but otherwise the hosts were restricted to few clear-cut chances.

Such was Fairclough's desire for three points, he pulled off midfielder Tommy Fraser for an extra striker (Mauro Vilhete) with 20 minutes to go, but the Bees could not make the breakthrough.

BARNET (4-4-2): Cole; Kamdjo, Devera, Uddin, Parkes; Southam, Fraser (Vilhete 72), Hughes, Marshall; Kabba (Taylor 82), McLeod. Subs not used: O'Brien (GK), Dunleavy, Cox, Jarvis, Stimson.

Attendance: 4,573.