Martin Allen hailed history maker Dwight Pascal in the wake of Barnet’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Peterborough last night.

Aged just 15, Pascal swapped his school uniform for a Bees shirt, becoming their youngest ever First XI debutante in the 2-1 defeat.

His selection at right-back was reward for an eye-catching display in Barnet’s FA Youth Cup tie last week.

Boss Allen admitted the youngster will probably be the talk of the schoolyard this morning.

“His school-mates will have a lot to talk to him about tomorrow,” he said.

“He is 15 and certainly didn’t look out of place. I certainly wasn’t thinking at half-time or at 70 minutes I need to get him off because he just kept going on and on and on right through to the end.

“He is a tenacious character and good technically. I’m not sure if he is a lovely lad because I don’t really know him that well yet, but what I do know is he is a good player.”

Martin Allen

Other youngsters too grabbed their moment in the spotlight, Justin Amaluzor got his first goal for the club and would have made that a double but for a late save by Peterborough keeper Luke McGee, while 18-year-old Nana Kyei claimed an assist in another display demanding notice.

Allen made clear there would be more opportunities for such youngsters, but the promise came with the warning they would need to take them as in every footballer’s life the clock is always ticking.

“These are the boys we are looking at to bring through,” he added.

“We have got Harry Taylor as well who has already played a lot of games for us this season and Sam Muggleton too.

“Before them it was Elliott Johnson and Luke Gambin. I gave Gambin his debut seven years ago.

“I’m not waiting until 24 with these boys. They need to be ready by 19-20 because if not we have to make room.”