Man United proved a 'distraction' for Bees

7:18pm Saturday 24th September 2005

Barnet 1 Rochdale 1 . . .

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough admitted the thought of meeting Manchester United in the Carling Cup was a distraction at Underhill this afternoon.

The Bees stuttered to a point, Giuliano Grazioli grabbing an equaliser just two minutes from time.

But Fairclough, who said he predicted earlier in the week that his troops would draw a team from the north-west in the competition, was delighted with the way his battling players again never threw in the towel.

He said: "It (Man U tie) was a distraction today, of course. But I never doubt the attitude of my players. They don't know the meaning of giving up."

In truth, all thoughts of meeting the Red Devils at Old Trafford seemed to be put aside in the first 45 minutes, as both sides created a number of good openings in what was an entertaining affair.

But the Bees lost their way after the break and appeared to be heading for another defeat, before a spirited late rally and another Grazioli strike.

The first half was an even affair, but Dale had already struck the bar via a Ricky Lambert free-kick before their opener.

The deadlock was, inevitably, broken by Grant Holt. The league's top scorer rose unmarked to head home a Lambert corner ten minutes before the interval.

The second half was a tame affair in comparison to the first and there were few clear-cut chances.

Barnet fans thought their team had missed the boat when Dean Sinclair sliced their best opening well wide with 15 minutes to go. Grazioli dispossessed a defender and freed Nicky Bailey down the left. He squared the ball into the path of Sinclair, but the midfielder was uncharacteristically well off target when he looked certain to score.

But the hosts never gave up and, with sub Liam Hatch making a nuisance of himself, the visitors finally caved in.

Ian Hendon, playing his 100th game for the club, floated in a deep cross that Hatch headed back into the danger zone with the keeper stranded. Grazioli guided it towards the roof of the net with his head and, though there were still a number of players in the six-yard box, the ball beat them all and reached its intended destination.

BARNET (4-4-2): Flitney; Hendon, King, Charles, Batt; Bailey, Sinclair, Lee, Soares (Hatch 72); Grazioli, Strevens (Graham 84). Subs not used: Tynan, Gross, Bowditch.

Attendance: 2,338.

* Barnet will announce ticket details for the Manchester United game this Wednesday. Fans are advised to check the club's website.

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