FC Halifax Town came away from the Hive with a credible point after Devante Rodney equalised against Barnet.
A goal in each half ensured the points were shared as the Shaymen defence was breached for the first time since the 9th of February.
Both teams started slowly as neither side was able to hold onto possession. Barnet were able to get several cross into the box but both Nathan Clarke and Matty Brown provided valuable clearances.
Barnet came close about 10 minutes into the game as Dan Sweeney got his head to a cross, but his effort was straight at Johnson. Just two minutes later and another headed effort from Barnet was cleared away by captain Brown.
Barnet made the breakthrough 24 minutes into the game. Ephron Mason-Clark did well to work some space before teeing it up for Wes Fonguck who found the top corner as Sam Johnson couldn’t get there.
Halifax failed to control possession for much of the first half as Barnet continued to attack. Several cross into the box were expertly dealt with the Halifax defence who looked strong despite conceding the goal.
One of Town’s best chances of the first half came from a free kick. With the ball to the left of the area, Matty Kosylo put the ball into the box but the chance went begging.
The Shaymen made their first change of the night as the injured Manny Duku was replaced by Jordan Preston on the 58th minute. James Hardy was also brought off as Cameron King came on as he continues his return to full fitness.
Kosylo was the first to go into the book as he saw yellow for persistent fouling in the 62nd minute. Shortly after, Kosylo made way for Jacob Hanson after picking up an injury.
Barnet had a chance to double their lead as Mason-Clark again found space on the edge of the box. A perfectly timed tackle from Niall Maher stopped the attack and allowed the Shaymen to come forward.
Town got the equaliser in the 71st minute courtesy of Rodney. Substitute King played a perfect pass to find Rodney bearing down on goal. Rodney beat Sweeney for pace before slotting the ball under goalkeeper Mark Cousins to find the back of the net.
Just five minutes later and Barnet made their first substitution of the night as Daniel Sparkes made way for Simeon Akinola. Their second was made just four minutes from time as Mason-Clarke was replaced by Medy Elito.
Clarke entered the book at the end of normal time following a poor challenge on Dave Tarpey. As the game neared conclusion, neither side created many chances as the game finished 1-1.
The result sees the Shaymen move up to 14th with the possibility of moving up to 12th should we win our game in hand. We travel down to Dover on Saturday in the hunt for another three points.
My man of the match: Devante Rodney
Barnet: 1 Mark Cousins, 2 Cheye Alexander, 3 Elliott Johnson, 4 Callum Reynolds, 7 Dave Tarpey, 11 Dan Sparkes (Simeon Akinola 77), 16 Harry Taylor, 17 Andre Boucaud, 18 Wesley Fonguck, 26 Dan Sweeney, 27 Ephron Mason-Clark (Medy Elito 88)
Subs: 13 Richards Matrevics, 23 David Tutonda, 29 Jack Barham
FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 2 Michael Duckworth, 4 Nathan Clarke, 5 Matty Brown, 7 Matty Kosylo (James Hanson 69), 25 James Ferry, 31 Niall Maher, 34 Manny Duku (Jordan Preston 57), 35 Devante Rodney, 36 James Hardy (Cameron King 57) 39 James Skarz
Subs: 21 Shaun Rowley,10 Jonathan Edwards
Referee: Sam Allison
Assistant referees: Marcus Carmichael and Craig Scriven
4th official: Andreas Anastasiou
Goals: Fonguck 23, Rodney 71
Yellow Cards: Kosylo 63, Clarke 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 702 (68 away)
Barnet FC 1 FC Halifax Town 1
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