Dean Brennan lauds keeper’s heroics as Barnet progress in FA Cup

Barnet boss Dean Brennan hailed goalkeeper Matthew Cox’s decisive save as the Bees beat Tranmere 3-0 to reach the FA Cup second round.

The home side created several chances in the first half but failed to find the net, while Cox twice denied Charlie Whitaker, including a superb stop to tip his effort onto the post.

Substitute Kane Smith broke the deadlock with a half-volley following Brandon Comley’s cross from a well-worked corner.

Nnamdi Ofoborh doubled their lead in stoppage time, slotting home Damola Ajayi’s pass before Ajayi fired in a third moments later.

“We lacked that real killer quality in the first half and were a bit naive, but the substitutes made a huge difference and gave us the pace and dynamism we needed,” Brennan said.

“We worked on those short corners in training and wanted to create an overload. Kane controlled the half-volley really well.

“We have a good winning mentality in this group and want to enjoy the FA Cup, but our main agenda is promotion from this division.

“Coxy made an amazing save to tip the ball onto the post. That bit of luck was important and the save won us the game really.”

Tranmere defender Lee O’Connor was frustrated after conceding three late goals as they were knocked out of the FA Cup first round for the fifth consecutive season.

“We didn’t start as well as we could, but defended well in the first half and came out really well in the second, especially with the chances we had,” said O’Connor.

“We created a lot of chances and didn’t take them. Their first goal was a killer against the run of play, but we can’t make excuses as we were chasing the game.

“We kept the ball better and created chances, but it’s about putting the finishing touches on them.”