John Akinde treble seals Barnet victory

John Akinde's third hat-trick of the season has earned Conference Premier leaders Barnet a 3-1 triumph away at Aldershot Town.

Despite 25 points separating the two teams in the league table, it was Aldershot who started the stronger at the Recreation Ground with Brett Williams curling a shot just wide of the post.

Barnet responded through Charlie MacDonald, who had an effort saved by Phil Smith, before Curtis Weston and Akinde both failed to make the most of opportunities in and around the penalty area.

Their pressure finally paid off with four minutes of the first half remaining when Akinde latched on to a long ball from Dale Stephens before slotting the ball past Smith for his 19th goal of the season.

However, it took just three minutes after the restart for Aldershot to find an equaliser when Jordan Roberts ghosted in at the back post to head home a corner.

Parity was restored for just 60 seconds, though, as Sam Togwell supplied the pass for Akinde to power the ball into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area.

Barnet were in the ascendancy and after Mauro Vilhete had seen a low shot palmed away, Akinde missed out on his hat-trick when rolling the ball wide from close range.

Aldershot's only response came from Williams, who miscued an overhead kick, and after the game entered added-on time, Barnet wrapped up the three points when Akinde scored from the spot after Smith had been sent off for hauling down the striker inside the box.