Graham Stack joy at crucial Barnet penalty save

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Graham Stack

Barnet goalkeeper Graham Stack says self-belief was behind his late penalty heroics against Wycombe.

The 31-year-old saved Joel Grant's last minute spot-kick to ensure the Bees won their last ever game at Underhill.

He told BBC London 94.9: "As Barnet tend to, we like to throw up surprises. That was certainly one. When the ref pointed to the spot my heart sunk.

"But I am a confident person and a confident keeper. I believe on my day I am capable of saving anyone's penalty."

The save against Wycombe, Stack's first penalty save this season, was made more dramatic as it also ensured the Bees would move out of the League Two relegation zone with one game to play.

Many keepers now rely on video analysis to give them the upper hand when facing penalties but on this occasion Stack was in the dark.

"It's funny because my record before I came to Barnet was very good," he said.

"It is not an ideal scenario - being 1-0 up, nothing to do the whole game and it seemed as if the clock was running down.

"We have conceded about 11 penalties this season and I have been told by Omar, our video analyst, where penalty takers tend to go.

"Having not saved one, he didn't tell me about Wycombe. I did it off my own back so I had a little joke with him after the game.

"He has been a massive help to me but it was on my shoulders and make-or-break. Fortunately I went the right way and saved it."

Barnet, who have avoided relegation on the last day of the campaign in the last three seasons, now have their destiny in their own hands on the final day.

With the Bees moving to a new stadium at The Hive ahead of next season, Stack says their performance and the result was a bonus for them on what was an emotional occasion.

"It was a massive day for everyone involved with the club - the supporters, the staff and the players," he continued.

"It was a special day all round. My children were mascots and a lot of family were here for what was a sell-out crowd and the last game at Underhill.

"Regardless of the penalty save, the chances we created and the tempo we played at - everything about the game was very positive. We were worthy of the win.

"The fact it is in our own hands now is the biggest plus for us.

"There is still a big job at hand and we have still got unfinished business."

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