Barnet and Rochdale shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Underhill that had seemed highly unlikely until Giuliano Grazioli's last minute header saved the hosts' blushes.
It seemed as though the League Cup triumph over Plymouth in mid-week, coupled with learning of a mouth-watering trip to Old Trafford in the next round earlier on in the day, had served to focus the Bees' minds on more glamorous occasions ahead than this afternoon's home fixture against Rochdale.
Dale started the match far more brightly than their hosts and Ross Flitney was forced into two smart saves inside the first 10 minutes to stop the visitors taking an early lead.
Rickie Lambert almost fired Dale ahead only minutes later, but his 25-yard free-kick beat Flitney all ends up before crashing back off the underside of the bar to safety.
Barnet did not respond to the warning and it was no surprise when they were made to pay after 36 minutes. The impressive Grant Holt rose high in the six-yard box to power Lambert's corner kick into the roof of the net, to make it seven goals in seven league games for the striker.
After coming out from the interval with a renewed sense of purpose, it seemed as though the Bees might force their way back into the game.
However, after weathering the storm at the start of the second half Rochdale forced a succession of corners and began to claw back the initiative.
Holt in particular looked a real handful, and his strength and power was causing the Barnet defence no end of problems.
The Bees should have pulled themselves level with 15 minutes to go, but Dean Sinclair fired wildly over the top from a Nicky Bailey pull-back.
It seemed as though Barnet's chance had gone, but in the last minute Grazioli rose highest to earn his side a slightly fortuitous point.
