Fleetwood hold off Barnet to reach FA Cup second round

Fleetwood progressed to the FA Cup second round with a narrow win over fellow League Two side Barnet.

Zech Medley gave them the early lead and Harrison Holgate’s late goal proved vital as Callum Stead pulled one back with a minute remaining.

The hosts drew first blood on 11 minutes as some excellent work down the right from wing-back Ethan Ennis created an opening for former Arsenal defender Medley, who fired a low drive past Owen Evans.

Medley almost turned provider just before the half-hour when he whipped a wicked ball across the box but striker Will Davies could only divert an effort over the crossbar from close range.

The visitors could have equalised three minutes before the break but Stead could only squeeze an effort inches past the post keeper David Harrington closed down the angle.

The Bees came out for the second half in a similar vein and Ryan Glover went close with a flick header from Kane Smith’s free-kick.

But the Cod Army doubled their advantage with four minutes left of normal time through a thumping volley from Holgate following Ched Evans’ neat lay-off.

Stead pulled a goal back with a sensational curling effort from outside of the box to make it a nervy finish but Fleetwood held on.