Barnet had a player sent off at the end of either half as they went down 3-1 to League 2 leaders Wycombe at The Hive.
The game started very brightly for the home side, who took the lead after just three minutes, albeit in controversial circumstances. Charlie MacDonald's headed pass was met by John Akinde, who looked a few yards offside. Despite protests from the Wycombe fans and players alike, no flag was waved, Akinde rounded Matt Ingram in the Wycombe goal and tapped home.
Barnet were not looking like a side a divison below Wycombe, as the Bees totally dominated the first half. Ingram made a few good saves for the visitors, and more controversy surrounded the referee just past the half-hour mark, when Wycombe won a penalty. Matt McClure, who had an excellent game for the away side, was pulled down by Andy Yiadom inside the Barnet area. Paul Hayes stepped up to score his eighth goal of the season.
The game was a feisty encounter from the start, and on the brink of half-time, the hosts went down to 10 men. Sam Togwell, who spent time on loan at Wanderers last season, slid in dangerously on Wycombe midfielder Matt Bloomfield, earning a straight red card. That red card was to change the gzme completely, as the referee blew for half-time.
Half-time: Barnet 1-1 Wycombe
Wycombe started the second half much the brighter side, and could've taken the lead just a minute into the half, with Sam Wood shooting straight at goal. It took 58 minutes on a rain and wind-lashed pitch, but Wycombe finally took the lead. An in-swinging corner came in and was met by Aaron Pierre at the edge of the six-yard box, his first FA Cup goal in his first game in the competition.
Barnet were level on 64 minutes - or so they thought. A couple of minutes after Bernard Mensah came on for his Barnet debut, the home side won a corner. Yiadom, who gave away the penalty in the first half, headed the corner into the bottom corner, only for the referee to pull back play for infringement.
The hosts pushed for an equaliser at every attempt, but it was game over with a quarter of an hour left. Matt McClure, who had been gunning for a goal all game, beat the offside trap, running along the far touchline and crossed the ball into the box, with Sam Wood tapping the ball in from just a yard out.
The game ended on another sour note for Barnet, as Yiadom was finally given his marching orders. After avoiding a card for the penalty decision in the first half, the right-back came in late on Josh Scowen, and was sent off after a coming together of both managers and sets of players.
Full-time: Barnet 1-3 Wycombe
