Dean Brennan impressed by Barnet’s spirit in comeback win at Tranmere

Barnet manager Dean Brennan praised his side’s character as the Bees came from behind to beat Tranmere 2-1 at Prenton Park and extend their unbeaten Sky Bet League Two start to nine games.

Will Vaulks gave Tranmere the lead in the 22nd minute, firing a spectacular 20-yard strike past Matthew Cox after good work from Charlie Whitaker.

The hosts had chances to extend their advantage before the break, with Whitaker going close before Dylan Jones dragged an effort wide just before half-time.

Barnet hit back 10 minutes after the break when Kabongo Tshimanga reacted quickest to Harrison Male’s save from Charlie Lakin, heading home from close range.

The visitors completed the turnaround three minutes from time after Bobby Faulkner brought down Lakin inside the penalty area. Tshimanga converted from the spot, completing his brace and securing all three points for the Bees.

Tranmere’s misery was compounded in added time when Joel Senior was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a nasty-looking challenge on Romoney Crichlow-Noble.

Barnet boss Brennan, whose side sit second in the table after a strong start to the campaign said: ”Results mean everything. This business is about winning.

“Tranmere played well in the first half but in the second half we were much better. We played on the front foot and I think we deserved our victory.

“What epitomised us today was all about our character and all about our willingness, finding a different way to win and our togetherness.

“That is so hard to create and we’ve got it, so long may it continue.”

He added: “We don’t rest on our laurels, there’s no easy games. We didn’t come here today thinking we were favourites to win the game.

“Darrell Clarke has been promoted out of this division, he knows what he’s doing, so we’ve got nothing but respect for his team and his players.

“Togetherness, character, willingness to run and up our athleticism and be brave and to win the ball, there are so many positives today, but we’ve got to dust ourselves down and go again.”

Tranmere manager Darrell Clarke, whose side once again dropped points having taken the lead to taste defeat at home for the first time in League Two this season, said: “I’m really angry with the second half, we didn’t get going at all.

“We lost control of the game and we got overran. It’s disappointing after how we started, and I have to go away and analyse that second half because it looked like we’d never played together.

“We kept giving the ball away, we didn’t look great defensively and we were too deep. We looked overran, and then we give away two really cheap goals.

“I’ve got to go away and look at why that happened. We said at half-time we knew what was going to come. They were going to make changes and come at our backline, and we didn’t deal with it at all.

“We’re getting opportunities and we need to take them and get that second goal. We’re scoring worldies and missing the easier chances.

“So, there’s plenty of work to do. It’s so frustrating managing this group at the minute because the potential is there. I know it is.”

“We’ve chucked loads of points away, but we were miles off it second half today.”