Road to Wembley - Big Bristol's

There are 26 league positions between these two sides, but it was League 2 Barnet who were played the better football. Midfielder Josh Wright, an 18-year-old on loan from Charlton, controlled the play with his outstanding technical ability and allowed Barnet to create the early openings over Bristol Rovers.

In the 26th minute Cliff Akurang should have done better. Just last month, the 26-year-old forward was training to be a plumber but manager Paul Fairclough has given him his first professional contract and will have been disappointed to see a 21st-minute header from Nicky Nicolau’s left-wing cross hit straight to Phillips.

Akurang had another headed chance on the half-hour mark. This time his effort appeared to strike the arm of Craig Hinton but Bennett waved away appeals for a penalty. After a spell of domination Barnet manager Fairclough must have harboured growing concern that his side were not taking advantage. And as Richard Lambert drilled a shot wide of goal, his concerns would have increased. They managed to survive until half-time though, and Barnet would have entered the break the happier side.

Barnet got to this stage last season before being beaten by Plymouth. The prospect of reaching the fifth round for the first time in the club’s history was undoubted motivation as the second half began. But Rovers had obviously been given a half-time roasting as they took just four minutes to move in front.

Midfielder David Pipe did well to produce a dinking cross from the right and RICHARD LAMBERT arrived in the six-yard box to bravely head home for his 12th goal of the season and fifth in this season’s FA Cup.

Barnet refused to lie down though, and on 54 minutes came close to working an equaliser. Quick feet from Neal Bishop helped him through the penalty area but his shot was off target. Phillips was then almost caught out as Carew charged down a clearance, but the ball did not reach as far as the goal line.

Barnet have never beaten Bristol Rovers and, as time wore on, their passing began to go astray and it looked less likely they would turn the game around. Fairclough introduced substitutes Adam Birchall and Anthony Thomas to help them. Their presence added new energy to the side, but Rovers were refusing to rest on their one-goal lead.

Sammy Igoe was introduced as a second-half substitute by Trollope, and he sent a fierce effort past the left-hand post. Lambert also hit a long-range strike towards goal, but his effort was way off target.

Barnet were next to try their luck on goal with eight minutes remaining. Midfielder Wright attempted a right-footed volley from outside the penalty area, but again the effort did not manage to hit the target.

Barnet introduced Giuliano Grazioli, who was once an FA Cup hero for Stevenage Borough, late on. He had the chance to shower himself in glory with four minutes left here, but Phillips held on to his powerful shot. As time ran out, it was Rovers who had the final effort on goal. Igoe probably thought he had scored two minutes from time, only to see ex Charlton youngster Harrison pull off a great save from his stinging drive. Unfortunately for Barnet, there was no time to capitalise with an equaliser.

Barnet: Harrison, Devera, Bishop, Yakubu, Nicolau (Birchall 69min), Puncheon, Porter, Carew (Thomas 69min), Gillet, Wright, Akurang(Grazioli 82min)
Att: 5,190