A second half goal from Connor Dymond helped Barnet secure a point and a 1-1 draw at fellow Skrill Premier promotion chasers Cambridge United.

The Bees had fallen behind in the opening period when Josh Gillies converted a penalty after Mark Byrne had fouled Delano Sam-Yorke in the area.

But Martin Allen’s side battled back and scored an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining. Dymond’s rasping drive from 20 yards earned Barnet a share of the points.

There were two changes to the Bees starting XI that had defeated Hereford United last weekend.

Top scorer Jake Hyde returned from his hamstring injury and replaced Harry Crawford while Byrne came back into the side in place of Elliot Johnson.

Allen’s men began brightly at the Abbey Stadium and created an early chance. Mauro Vilhete, who started at left-back, crossed for Jon Nurse.

The striker collected the ball, evaded a tackle and fired towards the far post. Unfortunately for the visitors his effort went just wide.

Cambridge then came close. Josh Coulson clipped a cross into the six yard box which deflected off David Stephens and Nick Jupp reacted quickly to push the ball wide.

Barnet threatened when they went forward but looked open defensively. Gillies was wayward with a shot from distance but, in the 22nd minute, the home side were awarded a penalty.

Sam-Yorke collected a pass in the area and was pulled back by Byrne. The striker stayed on his feet and curled a strike into the top corner.

However, referee Adam Bromley had already blown his whistle and a spot kick was awarded. Gillies stepped up and, despite Jupp getting a strong hand to the shot, the ball found the corner.

Barnet tried to respond immediately. Hyde volleyed into the arms of Benjamin Siegrist before the striker drilled an effort wide.

The final chance of the half went to the hosts. Luke Chadwick broke into the penalty area but Jupp came out well and smothered his attempt at goal.

Neither side made changes at the interval but Cambridge were much more assertive in the second period.

They dominated possession and caused the Bees several problems. Chadwick was again denied by Jupp and the Bees goalkeeper then produced a fine save to tip away a shot from distance by Liam Hughes.

Barnet made two changes. Vilhete and Nurse were replaced by Harry Crawford and Sam Muggleton.

They had the desired effect and, with 20 minutes remaining, the Bees pulled level.

After a period of pressure the ball dropped to Curtis Weston on the edge of the penalty area. He teed up Dymond and the Crystal Palace loanee’s strike found the top corner.

The momentum swung in Barnet’s favour and Marsh-Brown curled a strike from the edge of the box over.

Cambridge regrouped and defended well as the Bees pushed forward. There were few chances in the closing stages. The best saw Richard Tait skew an effort well wide for the home side in added time.

The Barnet supporters were in fine voice at full time. A draw was deserved for the visitors who remain ninth in the Skrill Premier table.

The Bees are two points off the play-offs and welcome Forest Green Rovers to The Hive next Saturday.

Cambridge United: Siegrist; Taylor, Miller, Coulson, Tait; Gillies (Pugh 38), Chadwick, Champion, Hughes (Barnes- Homer 84); Donaldson, Sam-Yorke.

Cambridge United substitutes: Roberts, Norris, Arnold

Barnet: Jupp; Yiadom, Stephens, Gjokaj, Vilhete (Muggleton 61); Weston, Harper, Byrne (Dymond 38); Marsh-Brown, Hyde, Nurse (Crawford 61).

Barnet substitutes: Abdulla, Saville.

Attendance: 3,385 (606)