Barnet boss Paul Fairclough hailed Izale McLeod after the striker netted a brace at Hereford United on Saturday, re-igniting hopes that the Bees can still beat the drop.

Fairclough said: "He is a predator and got the goal we needed and probably didn't deserve."

Indeed, the Bulls were looking good approaching half-time at Edgar Street, having taken the lead in the first minute.

It could have been more and the Bees appeared to be on the ropes.

But McLeod popped up to score just before the break and transformed the game.

After the interval, it was Barnet's turn to take control and McLeod hit the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

Fairclough added: "The first-half performance was probably one of the worst I have seen from my players for a while. There were some harsh words at half-time, I have to say.

"But the transformation was fantastic."

And Barnet certainly looked the likelier to find a winner after the interval, something Fairclough was keen to point out.

"I felt we were the team that appeared to be most hungry (for three points)," he said.

The defeat for Hereford also drags the Bulls back into the relegation mire.

Fairclough stuck with the same team that lost to Wycombe Wanderers just days earlier, with the exception of Anthony Pulis returning to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Rossi Jarvis.

It is quite likely Fairclough will stick with the same 11 for this Saturday's crunch game against Morecambe.

Barnet are also in action on Tuesday, when they make the trip to Aldershot.

Go to www.times-series.co.uk/sport for all the Barnet v Morecambe action this Saturday, including a match report on the final whistle.