Barnet boost play-off hopes with big victory at 10-man Fleetwood

Barnet moved to within four points of the League Two play-off places with an impressive 5-2 win over Fleetwood at Highbury.

The visitors were clinical in front of goal in a pulsating game and deservedly left with all three points.

Within seconds of first-half stoppage time being announced, Fleetwood defender Shaun Rooney was sent off for a late tackle on Ryan Glover.

Having barely had time to reshuffle, the Cod Army then found themselves a goal down.

Neat work down the left from Romoney Crichlow-Noble teed up Callum Stead on the edge of the box to open the scoring.

Within a minute of the restart, the Bees doubled their advantage, Anthony Hartigan curling home a delightful finish from outside the box with what was just his second touch after coming on at half-time.

Fleetwood fought hard with 10 men and were rewarded for their efforts when Harrison Neal pulled a goal back on 51 minutes.

Mark Helm then levelled the scores from the spot after referee Declan Bourne gave a penalty for a shirt-pull on Ched Evans.

Just eight minutes later, Bourne was pointing to the spot at the other end when Kabongo Tshimanga was brought down by Finley Potter.

The former Fleetwood striker picked himself up and slotted the spot-kick home before doubling his personal tally just over a minute later with a well-placed finish from a Kane Smith cross.

Substitute Diallang Jaiyesimi added number five off the bench with a thumping finish past Jay Lynch from point-blank range to add icing on the cake for Dean Brennan’s side.