Match ends, Barnet 0, Fleetwood Town 2.
BarnetBarnet0FleetwoodFleetwood Town2
Barnet's hopes of matching their run to the fourth round in last season's FA Cup were dashed as Ched Evans and Ashley Hunter gave Fleetwood victory at The Hive.
Striker Evans smashed the ball into the roof of the net just before the half-hour after the home defence failed to deal with Lewis Coyle's right-wing cross.
Conor McAleny should have made it two soon after but keeper Scott Loach got down smartly to save his low side-footed effort.
Barnet, currently 10th in the National League, struggled to seriously threaten the Fleetwood goal and Hunter sealed it for Joey Barton's League One side with a late second.
The mood among Barnet supporters was upbeat before kick-off following last season's Cup escapades, which included a magnificent 1-0 win at Sheffield United.
But Fleetwood have recent Cup pedigree of their own, having reached round three in the last two seasons, and had an extra edge in quality which made the difference.
As well as his goal, Evans also forced a good save from Loach with a powerful angled drive just before the break.
The keeper had to be at his best again later in the game to keep out a Paddy Madden effort from Wes Burns' cut-back, but Loach was given no chance as Evans' flick put Hunter in on goal again and he made no mistake.
Barnet goalkeeper Scott Loach:
"I'm disappointed. I had a lot of saves to make and I can't really remember their keeper being tested.
"I think we were too nice. We've got to have a bit more grit about us if we want to succeed, but credit to Fleetwood, they came and did a job."
Fleetwood striker Ched Evans:
"We've worked all week on this game. We had a lot of information passed to us about them and we knew it wouldn't be easy.
"The lads put on a good display, we were tough to break down and it was really pleasing to get the win.
"I just wandered into the box and I was pleased the ball fell to me. It was nice to see it hit the back of the net."
Line-ups
Barnet
- 1Loach
- 2Alexander
- 26Sweeney
- 4Reynolds
- 3Johnson
- 6DunneSubstituted forChimeat 81'minutes
- 16Taylor
- 20da Silva VilheteBooked at 62minsSubstituted forAkinolaat 81'minutes
- 7Taylor
- 23TutondaSubstituted forMason-Clarkat 57'minutes
- 22Walker
Substitutes
- 8Adams
- 14Akinola
- 17Boucaud
- 21Elito
- 24Azaze
- 27Mason-Clark
- 30Chime
Fleetwood
- 31Crellin
- 2Coyle
- 5Eastham
- 6Souttar
- 3AndrewBooked at 66mins
- 15Coutts
- 16Rossiter
- 8DempseySubstituted forHunterat 69'minutes
- 11MorrisSubstituted forBurnsat 76'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 9Evans
- 10McAlenySubstituted forMaddenat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Cairns
- 7Burns
- 12Dunne
- 14Southam
- 17Madden
- 22Hunter
- 27Biggins
- Referee:
- John Busby
- Attendance:
- 1,100
Match Stats
Home TeamBarnetAway TeamFleetwood
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away7
- Corners
- Home1
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Barnet 0, Fleetwood Town 2.
Post update
Offside, Fleetwood Town. William Crellin tries a through ball, but Wes Burns is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt saved. Dan Sweeney (Barnet) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jack Taylor with a cross.
Booking
Wes Burns (Fleetwood Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Wes Burns (Fleetwood Town).
Post update
Elliott Johnson (Barnet) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Goal!
Goal! Barnet 0, Fleetwood Town 2. Ashley Hunter (Fleetwood Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ched Evans.
Post update
Attempt saved. Paddy Madden (Fleetwood Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Wes Burns.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Rossiter (Fleetwood Town).
Post update
Jack Taylor (Barnet) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jordan Rossiter (Fleetwood Town) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Fleetwood Town. Conceded by Ephron Mason-Clark.
Post update
Attempt missed. Wes Burns (Fleetwood Town) header from very close range is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ashley Hunter with a cross following a set piece situation.
Post update
Ched Evans (Fleetwood Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Callum Reynolds (Barnet).
Substitution
Substitution, Barnet. Simeon Akinola replaces Mauro Vilhete.
Substitution
Substitution, Barnet. Okem Chime replaces James Dunne.
Post update
Attempt missed. Paddy Madden (Fleetwood Town) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ashley Hunter.
Post update
Corner, Fleetwood Town. Conceded by Ephron Mason-Clark.
