Dean Brennan says Barnet’s win over Notts County down to ‘technical’ ability

Head coach Dean Brennan believes Barnet’s tactical nous helped them boost their play-off hopes with a crucial 2-1 win over promotion-chasing Notts County.

Kabongo Tshimanga, who has now netted seven times in six games, claimed his 11th and 12th goals since joining the Bees three months ago as they deservedly edged an entertaining clash.

Brennan said: “That win shows how far we’ve come. We’ve come a long way in a very short space of time.

“I think they expected us to be more physical. We decided to be more technical and play the game that way.

“They can be very direct and we stopped them playing through the thirds, which is what they like to do. They like to overload and we stopped them from playing, I thought.”

With Barnet now just two points outside the top seven, Brennan said: “First and foremost, I’m just going to enjoy this because it’s hard enough to win football matches.

“It’s not in our hands and there’s teams better off, in better positions, than us. So from our perspective we’re just going to enjoy the ride.

“Honestly, it’s just about focusing on the next game we have in front of us and trying to take care of that. We’ve put in a really good performance.”

Tshimanga broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, sweeping home in style after profiting from Ryan Glover’s flicked pass into the box.

County were then level just four minutes later when Jodi Jones converted from the spot following Glover’s foul on Lee Ndlovu.

However, after hitting the post early in the second half, Tshimanga pounced again when he produced a clinical 69th-minute finish from Callum Stead’s assist.

Defeat for County saw leaders Bromley promoted to League One for the first time in their history, with the Magpies two points and two places outside the top three.

Head coach Martin Paterson, who saw Tom Iorpenda and Matt Palmer go close, said: “It was a chaotic game, to be fair. They were getting opportunities and we were getting them in the same moments.

“We got caught in two minds of trying to pass our way through and play our way through. They did a better job in the second half because we didn’t take our chances and if you don’t do that then you get hurt.

“I wasn’t overly worried about the game but I’m going to have to look at the performance and give the players the information and assistance they need to win games like that.

“I think our respective predicaments led to the chaotic nature, to be honest. We were going for the win, definitely.”