Marc White made two changes in response to Tuesday’s disappointing defeat at home to Kidderminster. Isaac Philpott, an as a substitute for the Wanderers in mid-week, made his way into the starting eleven for a first start of the season ahead of Aaron Kuhl, whilst Harry Ottoway also earned a spot in the side in place of Ryan Seager.

Wanderers were frustrated in front of goal last time out against the unbeatable Dibble and came into today’s match looking for a bright start after what had proved to be a miserable evening at Meadowbank. Thankfully for Marc White’s men, the Wanderers would get their wish early on. With just six minutes on the clock, a blistering move into the Barnet box found Josh Taylor with plenty of time to take aim, flashing the ball past Walker for the opening goal of the evening.

The visitors came into today’s encounter on the back of three consecutive victories away from home, however appeared unable to display their recent dominance on the road. A lofted ball into the path of Bees top scorer Nicke Kabamba could’ve caused concern for Harrison Male in goal, only for Philpott to throw himself in front of ball and deny the in- form forward.

Wanderers were forced to track back as Barnet continued their press for a leveller, but it was the hosts that proved themselves to be the more clinical at the second time of asking. A quick move on the counter opened up space for a cross on the left-hand side, in turn allowing Jason Prior to nod home for his seventh of the season and Dorking’s second of the game.

Dean Brennan’s side appeared rattled by Dorking’s defiance and continued to knock on the door for a way back into the encounter. Just before the half hour mark, Idris Kanu looked to grab himself a goal with a header from close range, only for his effort to be comfortably caught by Harrison Male. A minute later, the move was recycled, ultimately ending with another near miss as former Wanderer Sam Beard saw his header sail wide.

HT 2-0

The opening stages of the second half were quiet in comparison to the excitement of the first half, however the game would soon regain momentum via the visitor’s top scorer. Having come close to conceding again, Barnet launched the ball up- field and eventually found the feet of Nicke Kabamba, who could only oblige in tapping the ball past Harrison Male for an eleventh goal of the campaign.

Barnet appeared rejuvenated by their goal but could’ve been caught out by yet another dangerous counter- attack from Dorking. Josh Taylor, involved for the Wanderers once again, looked to make headway having found himself in good space through some clever footwork, eventually seeing his sweet strike tipped away by Walker.

Despite the threat on the break, Dorking’s hard work would be undone with just over twenty minutes left to play. A set piece conceded by Pybus in a dangerous area opened up an opportunity for Anthony Hartigan to aim for goal, with the latter firing home the free kick for an outstanding equaliser.

Less than five minutes later, Barnet compiled more misery on Marc White’s men by completing their quick turnaround. A ball into the box for Barnet was poorly dealt with by Dorking’s back line, gifting Danny Collinge with an unmissable opportunity to blast the ball past Male for Barnet’s third.

Dorking were now forced to find an equaliser of their own having failed to prevent Barnet from grabbing theirs just ten minutes earlier, and came devastatingly close to doing so with fifteen minutes left to play. A free kick launched into the box from Francomb found the scorer of Dorking’s second, Jason Prior, who was unfortunately unable to replicate his first half form on this occasion as his header bounced onto the roof of the Barnet goal.

As stoppage time ticked away, Barnet could have made matters worse for Dorking, only to be denied by the heroics of Harrison Male. A goalmouth scramble in the Barnet box amidst their search for a late leveller was cleared away by the visitors and into the oncoming Zak Brunt, forcing Male to tip his sizzling strike past the post.

The visitors held on for victory against a disappointed Dorking, ending a 100% record against the Bees for Marc White’s Wanderers. Dorking remain 14th in the National League table and now turn their attention to the FA Cup ahead of Saturday’s short trip down to Horsham.

Referee: Jamie O’ Connor

Assistants: Ryan Head, Laurentiu Hantea, Robert Ablitt

Vanarama Man Of The Match: Sam Beard