Barnet 2-2 Exeter 



Report by Paul Tweedale 

A LATE equaliser from Barnet skipper Greg Heald deprived visitors Exeter of the total spoils yesterday.

The Grecians looked to have secured their second league win of the season when midfielder Jason Rees netted a beautiful 83rd minute goal, but, with the visiting fans convinced victory was theirs, Heald powered through, on 86 minutes, to head his side level and ensure that the points were shared. Exeter started the brighter, Steve Slack and Geoff Breslan showing a willingness to run, while Jason Rees spread the ball around confidently. Two early Exeter corners followed and the Grecians' faithful were given optimism on three minutes when Rob Dewhurst shot narrowly over. But the bright start faded as quickly as the afternoon sun. The home side settled and, as a result, the match became a scrappy affair. Though Exeter showed moments of good touch football the game broke down all too often after only two or three passes. Breslan looked the Exeter player most likely to force a breakthrough as he found out on the right, but his crosses reached Barnet heads far too often. As a tepid first half drew to a close Barnet scored, the goal coming against the run of play. Darren Currie found himself in possession on the left and his delicate chip down the line was collected by Ken Charlery, who had dragged his marker out of the centre. Charlery swiftly laid the ball to Fraser Toms, who drove to the goal-line, sending over a delightful cross which the unmarked Scott McGleish headed past the stranded Naylor. As the second half got under way it was apparent that Barnet had taken heart from their lead and for the first time in the match defender Sam Stock- ley raced forward. His cross found Currie at the back post and he headed back across the goal for McGleish, who scrambled in vain to apply the finishing touch. Exeter started to re-apply themselves and the match was kick-started back into life when Heald caught Nyamah late. Kofi reacted angrily, grabbing Heald by the neck and in the end had to be dragged away by his team-mates. Both names went into referee Phil Joslin's book.

Exeter grew in confidence and it was no sur- prise when they drew level on the hour. Rees, who had looked composed and tidy all afternoon, spread the ball to Richardson on the right. His cross fell to Nyamah, on the penalty spot and he coolly steered the ball into the net. Exeter should have doubled their tally immedi- ately after the re-start. Flack chased a short back- pass, but was unable to connect fully as three Barnet players closed in. Both sides opened up and both came close. McGleish over, while Flack held onto the ball too long as the goal loomed large. Referee Joslin removed himself from Peter Fox's Christmas card list on 76 minutes when he ignored Exeter's penalty claims. Breslan seemed to be brought down in the box as he prepared to shoot, but the referee was not moved and he waved play on. In the last ten minutes the result was anyone's guess. Flack seemed to put unfair pressure on Heald as the pair ran towards the corner flag, but the linesman chose to give Exeter a corner. Breslan switched to take the corner and his cross fell to Rees on the edge of the box. He controlled the ball, looked up and, spot- ting that Harrison was too far forward, clipped a delightful shot over the stranded keeper. With just over five minutes to go the Grecian fans started to celebrate, but they hadn't counted on Barnet's 'Captain Marvel', who appeared unmarked in the six-yard box to ensure the home side shared the

Exeter City 
Naylor Richardson Power. Gittens. Rees Flack Holloway Breslan McConnell Nyamah Dewhurst
Substitutes: Gale (for Breslan, 89).

Barnet:
Harrison, Stockley, Wilson, Heald, Arber,  Doolan, Charlery, Hackett, McGleish, Toms, Currie,

Scorers:
Barnet - McGleish 40. Heald 86,
Exeter Nyamah 60, Rees 83.

Bookings:
Barnet - Doolan 31. Heald 48:
Exeter Nyamah 48.

Referee: Mr Phil Joslin (Newark)

Attendance: 1,793.