Colchester United's hopes of closing in on the play-off spots received another blow on Saturday, as Barnet battled to a 1-0 win.
On a freezing cold day and with the wind swirling around the Weston Homes Community Stadium, chances proved hard to come by and Alex Nicholls' goal proved to be the crucial moment in the game.
The U’s made three changes to their starting eleven, with Ryan Inniss, Kane Vincent-Young and Sean Murray coming into the side.
It was the Bees who started the stronger, having the better of the first ten minutes without really testing Sam Walker.
The U’s began to get a foothold though, with Kane Vincent-Young driving down the left and sending over a cross that Mikael Mandron headed wide.
Barnet were showing some lively play around the edge of the box and Watson flashed a shot wide on 15 minutes after showing some good footwork.
At the other end, a corner was recycled into the area and Eastman knocked it down for Mandron, who dragged his shot wide.
Chances, in general, were at a premium, although Senior sent over a dangerous cross that came too quickly onto Ogedi-Uzokwe, before Jackson’s follow up was blocked by the defender.
Just before the break, the U’s had a couple of sights of goal, with Senior sent through by Comley, only for Legg to stay big and save the shot.
From the corner, it came to Kent at the far post, but his header went over.
The U’s made a change at half time, introducing Brennan Dickenson for Tom Eastman and going to more of a 4-4-2 formation.
There were hints that the U’s were helped by that change and boss John McGreal brought on Liam Mandeville for Ogedi-Uzokwe just before the hour mark.
The Doncaster man was making a nuisance of himself and was in the area from a Jackson throw, that saw Dickenson fire over from twelve yards out.
Another Jackson throw saw Mandron head just wide, before Barnet took the lead on 67 minutes.
Akinde sent the ball into the box and Nicholls showed good composure to slot home past Walker and into the far corner.
Mandron went into the book for a foul on 77 minutes, catching Watson on the stretch as he went for a loose ball.
Seven minutes later, with some good U’s pressure around the box, Dickenson drove in a low cross that was hacked clear.
The U’s were yet to really work Legg in the second half, though, and Kent fired a late effort over as the home side pressed to get something out of the match.
But they were unable to find a path to goal and were left disappointed again as the Bees gained revenge for the 1-0 U's win at The Hive earlier in the season.
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