Burton Albion 1-2 Barnet

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Mark Hughes scored the winner as Barnet narrowly beat Burton Albion to secure League Two survival.

Mark Byrne put the Bees ahead with a deflected free-kick.

Burton's Jacques Maghoma fired in from the edge of the area to equalise, and Calvin Zola missed a penalty after being fouled in the area by Byrne.

Hughes grabbed the winner in the second half, volleying in from the edge of the area to condemn Hereford United, who beat Torquay 3-2, to the drop.

Martin Allen's side made a nervous start to the game but took an early lead through Byrne's free-kick, which deflected off the wall and left Burton goalkeeper Ross Atkins wrong-footed.

The home side were soon back on level terms though, with Maghoma sending a low drive into the bottom corner after linking with Zola on the edge of the area.

Zola could have given Burton the lead from the penalty spot after he was pushed over by Byrne, however, he blazed his effort wildly over the bar.

With Hereford leading against Torquay it looked as though Barnet were heading for relegation. However, captain Hughes squeezed home a left-footed volley to put his side back into the lead, before goalkeeper Dean Brill denied Patrick Ada an equaliser in injury time.

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Burton Albion caretaker manager Gary Rowett told BBC Radio Derby:

Media caption,

Burton lacked desire, says Rowett

"I felt that in the first half we played some quite nice football.

"They obviously wanted it more than us, had that little bit of desire, and I'm disappointed that it was another not great performance.

"I have to look over the last 10 games and say that we have achieved something, we've won three games when we couldn't win a single one. I have to take the positives."

Barnet manager Martin Allen told BBC London 94.9:

Media caption,

Allen hails 'special' afternoon

"It was a nervy afternoon, we didn't play that well in the first half but that was to be expected with the tension and anxiety throughout the week.

"The second half we played really well, we really stepped up to the mark and full credit to the players for that performance.

"That was total domination, it was really just a matter of time.

"Their were two penalties that didn't go our way but the captain got the fantastic shot and we got a deserved three points.

"It was a really special afternoon."

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