Barnet 2 Cheltenham 2

Nationwide League Division 3

Barnet survived a late bombardment from Cheltenham, and when Ben Strevens gave them an 89th-minute lead, they looked to have three precious points safe in their keeping in their fight to avoid relegation. But they were caughtwith their defences down as the Robins equalised with a 20-yard free-kick, snatching a point in their quest for a play-off slot.

Manager John Still said: "We competed well, were 2-1 up and masters of our own destiny the game was over. Then we needlessly conceded an equaliser, and dropped two important points.

"We've 15 points to play for and the remaining games give us a chance to collect points. We'll have to keep working and grind out results."

The visitors made a storming start, Bees' keeper Lee Harrison made spectacular saves from Grant McCann and Neil Grayson, who also had a header cleared off the line by Darren Currie.

Grayson had a hand in Cheltenham took a 14th-minute lead, flicking the ball on for Mike Duff to shoot past Harrison.

Both sides lost a player through injury. Barnet wing-back Rob Sawyers was led off with a bruised eye, and Cheltenham keeper Steve Book hurt his knee.

Two minutes after taking over the jersey, Shane Higgs faced a 27th-minute penalty. A fierce shot from Warren Goodhind struck defender Mark Yates, and referee Mr A Hall pointed to the spot. Currie slotted the ball into the corner of the net, with Higgs going the wrong way.

Cheltenham manager Steve Coterill said: "I thought it was ball to hand, and not hand to ball."

Strevens, had three efforts blocked, and it neeeded a goalline clearance from Chris Banks to prevent Barnet going ahead in the first minute of the second period.

Then Cheltenham quickly got on top. Harrison denied them twice with brave advances to foil Grayson and Yates.

Two remarkable let-offs for the Bees followed. Cheltenham substitute Julian Alsford, who had replaced injured Charlie McDonald, and then McCann, both missed with the goal at their mercy. Alsford also sent a header crashing against the bar.

But it was the Bees who went 2-1 ahead, in the 89th minute. Arber's cross was flicked on by substitute Wayne Purser for Strevens to coolly round keeper Higgs.

Then came disaster for the Bees. A long clearance from Higgs was handled by Arber two yards outside the box, and McCann powered the free-kick high over the defensive wall and into the net.

BARNET: Harrison; Heald, Arber, Goodhind; Stockley, Sawyers (Niven, 18); Currie, Doolan, Brown; Strevens, Midgley. Man of the match: Arber. Attendance: 1,977.