Grazioli brace sinks Leigh

11:52pm Saturday 5th March 2005

Leigh RMI 0 Barnet 3 . . .

A Giuliano Grazioli brace steered Barnet to a comfortable three points at Hilton Park this afternoon.

The Bees cruised to victory and are now just five wins from the title.

Rock-bottom Leigh, with just three wins all season, never looked like pulling off a shock and Barnet keeper Shane Gore never had a save to make all match.

The heavy pitch made free-flowing football difficult and chances were at a premium in the opening half-hour.

But once Grazioli headed home a Richard Graham cross on 37 minutes, there was no way back for the Railwaymen.

Barnet dominated the second half and were rewarded a second ten minutes in. Ben Strevens headed a Nicky Bailey free-kick back across the box and Liam Hatch hooked home from close range.

It was almost embarrassingly easy, with the Leigh players looking hopelessly out of their depth.

Grazioli finished it off on 78 minutes when he expertly pulled down an Anthony Charles through-ball and placed a shot in the corner.

The striker might have had a hat-trick, but saw a lob go over.

Leigh's dismal day was summed up in the final minute when the frustrated Ryan Clarke received a second yellow card for blasting the ball away after the whistle.

Strevens had the final chance, heading over a Bailey cross in injury time.

The Bees will surely not have an easier afternoon.

BARNET (4-4-2): Gore; Yakubu, King, Charles, Clist; Strevens, Bailey, Sinclair, Graham; Grazioli, Hatch. Subs not used: Tynan, Elmes, Lopez, Lee, Roache.

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