Barnet picked up three valuable points after seeing off Lincoln in a cracker at Underhill this afternoon.

The Bees put in a superb first-half performance to lead 3-0 at the break, Steve Kabba (2) and Mark Hughes on target.

But Lincoln scored twice early on in the second period and then Barnet keeper Jake Cole was forced to save a penalty before a fourth goal from Izale McLeod finally ended the Imps' spirited comeback.

Barnet boss Paul Fairclough promised an attacking performance and that is what his players delivered in what was a great advert for League Two.

There could have been far more goals than the six scored, with Joe Devera twice hitting the woodwork for the hosts.

Fairclough made three changes from the side that started against Southend on Tuesday.

With skipper Glen Southam suspended, Fairclough reverted to a 4-4-2 system, with McLeod recalled up front.

John Dunleavy came in for Clovis Kamdjo, while Rossi Jarvis replaced Tommy Fraser.

The Bees got off to the perfect start, taking less than six minutes to score.

The excellent Mark Marshall floated over a corner and Kabba rose to power home a header.

The marking was poor but the hosts did not care one bit.

On 13 minutes, Marshall slid the ball into Jordan Parkes and he was tripped by Ali Fuseini.

Kabba stepped up to the spot and coolly slotted home the penalty, sending keeper Trevor Carson the wrong way.

It was almost three minutes later, Devera seeing a header from a Marshall corner slam against the bar.

Barnet were in total control, the Imps all over the place at the back.

Lincoln did almost get back in the game ten minutes before the break, when Adam Watts stole in at the back post, but he directed his header over following a free-kick.

Delroy Facey then forced Cole to tip over a drive, as the visitors at last started to apply some pressure.

But it was Barnet who struck on 38 minutes, Hughes curling the ball into the corner from a central position just outside the box. It was a cracker and the midfielder looked as surprised as anyone that his effort had hit the net.

McLeod almost made it four just before the break, but somehow put a shot on the turn wide from just five yards.

Devera then hit the post for a second time, from another bullet header, the chances continuing to come for the on-fire hosts.

However, within two minutes of the second half, Luke Howell had grabbed a lifeline for Lincoln, slamming the ball past Cole after a break down the right.

And two minutes later, Ashley Grimes met a ball into the centre to sweep in a second.

It could have got worse.

On the hour, Watts was clipped by Anwar Uddin from behind and Grimes had the chance to equalise from the spot.

But Cole dived to his right to push out his penalty, much to the relief of the home fans.

It was to be a costly miss, as the hosts, after weathering the Lincoln storm, were to hit a fourth midway through the half. Marshall crossed deep for McLeod to steer home at the back post.

Kabba had the chance to wrap it up in stoppage time but drove wide from a tight angle.

BARNET (4-4-2): Cole; Dunleavy, Devera, Uddin, Parkes; Deering (Adjeman-Pamboe 90), Hughes, Jarvis, Marshall; Kabba, McLeod (Stimson 85). Subs not used: O'Brien (GK), Kamdjo, Cox, Fraser, Vilhete.

Attendance: 2,226.