Forest Green Rovers 1 Barnet 1

Last updated : 27 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Forest Green gained a point against high-flying Barnet, although for the visitors it will be two points dropped as they look to try and stay in the play-off zone.

After a scrappy start Rovers created the first chance of the game. Steve Cowe's cross from the right wing found Ian Fitzpatrick whose header flashed wide of the Barnet goal.

The Bees took the lead in controversial circumstances in the 24th minute. Despite Jon Richardson making a clean tackle to win the ball from Giuliano Grazioli referee Steve Dorr awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Up stepped Ben Strevens to curl the ball over the wall into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Rovers were awarded a dubious penalty six minutes later, Alex Sykes fed the ball through to Scott Rogers and when he went down under the challenge of Danny Maddix the referee pointed to the spot.

Damon Searle converted the penalty-kick to get back on level terms.

Barnet should have been back in front just before the interval when Mark Williams' low cross found Grazioli who stabbed the ball wide.

Less than a minute after the interval Grazioli again came close when an error by Rovers midfielder Steve Kell allowed Barnet to break forward. Again Grazioli latched on to Williams' cross but this time his low drive was superbly tipped around the post by Steve Perrin.

Forest Green spent most of the second half on the back foot, but in a rare attack almost grabbed the lead.

Sykes fed the ball to Hugh McAuley on the right wing who in turn knocked the ball on to Matt Aubrey who did the hard part by getting past Maddix, but fired the ball over the bar from a narrow angle.