Barnet 1-2 Lincoln City

Charlie MacDonald admits he is at a loss to explain the slow start that contributed to Barnet's first defeat of the season on Saturday.

The Bees found themselves two goals down after just 21 minutes against Lincoln and despite Keanu Marsh-Brown netting in the second half they could not find the elusive equaliser.

And skipper MacDonald says he is unsure why his side failed to really get going from the beginning.

He told the club's website: “It was very disappointing. We didn’t start very well at all. We’ve been very sharp in training and have had two really good results and performances so to start like that today, I can’t really put my finger on it to be honest.

“It was always an uphill battle and it was too little too late. We can’t start in games like that. When you set the standard like we have over the last two games you are there to be shot at, and we need to make sure that we stand up and be counted and be ready for a fight.

“We were physically out-battled in the first half. They wanted it just a little bit more. That wasn’t just one player, there were loads of us that weren’t on the front foot and that has ultimately cost us the three points.”

Lincoln went in front after 15 minutes through Jordan Burrow's header and then doubled their lead when Hamza Bencherif outjumped Andy Yiadom at the back post.

Barnet keeper Graham Stack then denied Bencherif before Lee Cook saw his curling shot tipped over by visiting stopper Nick Townsend.

The visitors nearly made it three before the break but Ben Tomlinson was flagged offside.

Barnet came out a different side following the interval and after John Akinde forced Townsend into a string of fine saves, Marsh-Brown pulled one back.

Nat Brown flicked a near-post header against the crossbar for Lincoln and Akinde was then booked for simulation after going down in the penalty area.

Bondz N’Gala went up front during the final minutes with even Stack advancing for a late corner but the Imps held on.