Relegation battle now a reality as Carayol’s Rovers slump continues at Barnet

Goals from Izale McLeod and Clovis Kamdjo condemned Gambia-hopeful Mustapha Carayol’s Bristol Rovers to their fourth straight defeat – and heightened fears of a forthcoming scrap for Football League survival.

Though the Pirates turned in a generally improved performance, they were undone when they conceded twice in a 12-minute spell in the second half. McLeod, who had scored Barnet’s opener in their 2-0 win at the Memorial Stadium in November, did it again with his 18th goal of the season to put the Bees on the road to victory, racing onto a ball over the top before finding the net.

Kamdjo settled the outcome ten minutes from time to make it eight league games without a win for the Gas. Disgruntled away fans were again chanting for manager Paul Buckle’s head as the Pirates’ disastrous recent run continued, though the visitors had created enough chances to have taken something from the game.

Barnet created the first half-chance of the game in the fifth minute when Mark Hughes overhead kick fell for McLeod inside box, but the striker wildly miscued with an attempted volley. Rovers had their first attempt two minutes later when a throw-in from the right bounced to Mustapha Carayol, but his header lacked power and was wide of target.

New keeper Poke was twice forced into action midway through the opening period, first advancing to his penalty spot to snaffle Sam Deering’s dangerous cross from the right and the new recruit again showed good anticipation moments later as he raced out to smother the ball at McLeod’s feet after Mark Hughes had nipped in to rob Stanley.

Rovers were a fraction away from making a breakthrough from their first corner of the game in the 25th minute. The leaping Cian Bolger just failed to make contact with Carayol’s delivery for what would have been a certain goal. The Pirates had what looked like a certain penalty turned down when former Rovers defender Danny Senda went in for a challenge with his foot raised and caught Richards in the face.

McGleish was unlucky not to put the visitors in front moments later when he latched on to Woodards ball over the top but put his early lob just over the crossbar from 30 yards – then Zebroski broke clear but fired a low shot straight at Brill and the failure to take those chances proved costly seconds later when McLeod accelerated on to a clearance by Michael Hector to outpace a back-pedalling defence and fire past Brill for his 15th league goal of the season.

The Pirates were caught out at the back again eight minutes later when Ricky Holmes got to the bye-line and supplied a cross which Clovis Kamdjo rammed home from eight yards out – and once again Rovers had given themselves a mountain to climb.

The defeat leaves them at 19 place leveled on points with Barnet at 23 and up next, they turn their attention to the 3rd round of the English FA Cup when they face 13-placed English Premiership side Aston Villa FC at the Memorial stadium.