January 2012

The two sides will meet again on Tuesday February 7 with all to play for and the tie firmly in the balance following a 1-1 score from the Underhill encounter.

The game was an intriguing affair from start to finish, with Barnet putting in what many Bees fans have described as their best performance of the season.

With that in mind - and Swindon Town’s exploits in the FA Cup only three days before - Robins boss Paulo Di Canio might be quietly content with the outcome of the game.

The Robins led when Aden Flint scored with a header from Paul Caddis's corner just before half-time.

But the Bees rescued a draw when Mark Marshall's quickly taken free-kick Mark Marshall caught Swindon's defence out and Mark Hughes nodded home.

Barnet boss Lawrie Sanchez now knows what lies between his side and a return to a venue that holds such special memories for him as a player, having scored the winner in the 1988 FA Cup final.

He said: “It was nip and tuck. They got the emphasis by scoring first and what we didn’t want to do was to lose 2-0 or 3-0 and make the second leg dead rubber.

“So I was pleased we got back in it and I thought we were worth it.

“We were vast underdogs for this game. They brought on a centre-half late on to try and tighten the game up and stay in it, so it showed who were pushing for the win.

“I have no worries going over there. We have won away at Gillingham, Cheltenham, Colchester, Portsmouth and Southport this season in cups.”

Paulo Di Canio said: “We can go to the County Ground with the tie at 1-1 and I must ask our amazing fans to fill the County Ground. They have been so good all season and I would like to see the stadium full again, like the Wigan Athletic game.”

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