City beaten at the Hive

Match report: Barnet 2 Exeter City 0

Exeter City's search for a Saturday afternoon away win this season continues after a 2-0 Hallowe’en defeat at Barnet.

City made three changes for this one, and with Jordan Moore-Taylor not involved, Tom McCready came in at right-back and featured alongside a central defensive pairing of Christian Ribeiro and the returning Troy Brown. Ryan Harley was back in the starting line-up, and operated along the flank.

City spent a lot of the first period in defensive positions, with Tom Nichols finding himself in the defensive third a lot more than usual. John Akinde headed one over from Elliott Johnson's cross, and Johnson had a free-kick pushed away by Olejnik, but Tom McCready could have handed the Grecians the lead with a fierce drive that flew narrowly wide.

But Barnet did take the lead shortly after the half-hour. After Josh Clarke crossed from the right, Troy Brown headed into his own net. Tom Nichols went clean through shortly after the opener but couldn't pull the trigger, while Brown almost made amends for his own goal when he headed into the arms of Jamie Stephens.

Half time: Barnet 1 Exeter City 0