NOT even Edgar Davids' return to the team could stop the rot for Barnet as they extended their winless run to five games following defeat to Macclesfield Town.

Marciano Mengerink missed an early penalty for Barnet and Macclesfield took full advantage as a Connor Jennings double gave Town the lead going into the break.

Mauro Vilhete scored with 16 minutes to play but this proved to be scant consolation for the Bees on a disappointing night at the Hive.

Barnet made four changes to the starting line-up as Vilhete, Luisma Villa and Mengerink replaced Luke Gambin, Harry Crawford and Keanu Marsh-Brown.

Davids also made his first start of the season, coming in for Ahmed Abdulla.

And it was the former Barcelona star who went close early on,  hitting the side netting after a bursting run into the box.

But Barnet's best chance came on nine minutes. Mengerink tumbled under the challenge of Paul Turnbull to win his side a penalty.

However for the fourth time this season - if you include friendlies - Bees failed to score, with Mengerink having his low penalty tipped round by Silkmen stopper Rhys Taylor.

Villa had a free-kick brilliantly tipped over the bar, with the home side heaping the pressure on Macclesfield.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play on 27 minutes. Peter Winn sent in a free-kick and an unmarked Jennings made no mistake.

Eight minutes later and it was two.

Anthony Acheampong cleared a ball off the line after a Graham Stack fumble, with Jennings in the right place at the right time to sweep home from a tight angle.

Barnet halved their deficit after 74 minutes. Villa's sublime through ball was met by Vilhete, who took a touch before firing low into the bottom corner for his first Bees goal.

Mengerink and David Stephens both spurned late chances as Barnet searched for the equaliser, however Town held firm to see Davids' boys drop down to 11th in the Skirll Premier.

BEES: Stack; Yiadom, Acheampong (Gambin), Stephens, Johnson; Byrne (Crawford), Davids, Weston; Luisma, Vilhete, Mengerink.

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