Match Report: Notts County throw away half-time lead as Barnet clinch victory

Notts County were a goal up at half time in their League Two clash against Barnet, but almost predictably, things did not go their way and their fans were once again left disappointed as the Bees put three past them to claim a 3-1 win at The Hive.

The Magpies got off to a bright start when Izale McLeod was felled in the box to win his side a penalty six minutes in, and Jon Stead was the man to step up, sidefooting the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net to give the travelling Notts fans an early chance to celebrate.

Barnet had nearly scored themselves just before the penalty call, but Scott Loach had saved well, while the hosts continued to press with several good chances after falling behind.

The Magpies were nonetheless a lot more cohesive at the back and dangerous up front than they were on Saturday, with Liam Noble feeding McLeod, who slotted just wide nine minutes in, while Noble and Stead also caused the Bees backline some concern.

Just moments after the restart, however, Barnet won a penalty of their own as Michael Gash drew a foul in the box. John Akinde sent Loach the wrong way to put the hosts level.

In what turned out to be a very similar story to Mansfield, Notts capitulated as they fell behind to Mark Randall's strike from 12 yards out, an outcome that came about because of poor Magpies defending.

Shortly after the hour, Martin Allen's side were three goals to the good, Andy Yiadom's 20-yard volley taking a huge deflection and wrong-footing Loach on the way to the back of the net.

Notts offered nothing in the last quarter of the game as they fell to another defeat, the goodwill and positive vibes around the club this time last week having completely dissipated and turned into the same old noxious fumes.

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