York City fans direct stinging attack at Russ Wilcox after defeat at Barnet's Hive

Hosts Barnet wrapped up victory following Josh Clarke’s 90th-minute goal, which prompted renewed chants for the beleaguered boss’ dismissal from travelling fans.

Just ten minutes earlier, the Minstermen faithful had been celebrating a spectacular Michael Coulson equaliser, which cancelled out home sub John Akinde’s second-half opening goal.

But a concerning collapse saw ex-City striker Michael Gash and Clarke secure maximum points whilst, in between, Akinde was also denied by a fine Scott Flinders save as the Bees threatened to run riot.

Indeed, the final score might have finished 5-1 with centre-back Bondz N’Gala having squandered a simple first-half chance for Martin Allen’s men.

Coulson, meanwhile, carried his side’s only genuine goal threat with the former Scarborough and Barnsley attacker responsible for three of his the visitors’ four shots during an afternoon of attacking impotency otherwise, with striking pair Vadaine Oliver and Emile Sinclair – an early replacement for injured skipper Russell Penn – failing to inspire.

Following encouraging displays against Doncaster and Luton, the performance represented another setback for a team whose long-established lack of consistency must be a cause of consternation for Wilcox.

The under-pressure City chief’s position will now come under close scrutiny during back-to-back home contests against fellow strugglers Dagenham and Wimbledon in the next six days.

Defeats in those matches will almost certainly see the growing clamour for his sacking intensify and, if his position is to remain tenable, then Wilcox will need to rely on a group of players who have not been held anywhere near as accountable for the team’s failings this term.

Against Barnet, the visitors were dealt an early blow by Penn’s ninth-minute withdrawal and his replacement Sinclair did little subsequently to challenge a general consensus that Wilcox’s faith in the former Championship striker is misplaced.

Coulson dropped back into midfield and it was the home side who edged an uneventful first period.

On 12 minutes, Michael Nelson headed over following Andy Yiadom’s right-wing free kick to the far post.

N’Gala then fluffed his eight-yard opportunity with Flinders’ goal at his mercy, slicing woefully wide after being picked out by Gash’s intelligent pass.

Both keepers were only tested once before the interval, meanwhile, with only routine saves required to keep out an Elliott Johnson free kick and Coulson’s edge-of-the-box strike.

Following the restart, Yiadom’s 25-yard drive from a free kick whistled wide before Barnet made the breakthrough just before the hour mark.

City defender John McCombe completely mistimed his jump to meet goalkeeper Jamie Stephens’ long punt forward, allowing Gash to release Akinde through the right channel.

He then beat Flinders from 12 yards despite the City keeper getting a touch on his low shot.

At the other end, Coulson signalled a 70th-minute warning when his 20-yard attempt was tipped over smartly by Stephens, while Oliver’s attempted overhead kick carried no conviction before bouncing well wide of the home goal.

After Gash glanced a near-post header across the face of the visitors’ six-yard box following Sam Togwell’s right-wing corner, though, the Minsternmen levelled through Coulson’s second goal of the season.

Picking the ball up 20 yards from goal, following Anthony Straker’s square pass from the left flank, Coulson drilled a low shot into Stephens’ bottom-right corner.

But, within two minutes, Barnet were back in front.

City had been fortunate to emerge unscathed from the countless fouls they had conceded all afternoon but that luck ran out when Togwell tapped a short free kick to his right and Gash fired a precise low shot beyond Flinders’ left arm from 25 yards.

Flinders went on to push over an Akinde effort after the ex-Crawley and Alfreton striker charged clear on goal.

He could not stop Clarke claiming the Bees’s third goal, however, as the on-loan Brentford full back also sprinted through unopposed following Akinde’s through ball and confidently found the City keeper’s bottom–left corner.

Cue the anti-Wilcox chants as the manager, who is rarely given any credit for the side’s occasional successes, was again held fully responsible for their calamitous capitulation.

City

Scott Flinders: 7 – left helpless for goals but saved well from Akinde when equally exposed

Keith Lowe: 6 – plugged away and didn’t let his head drop during late collapse

John McCombe: 5 – solid until misjudgement saw Barnet make the breakthrough

Femi Ilesanmi: 5 – failed to track Clarke run for the game’s final goal

Marvin McCoy: 5 – given problems by lively Gambin in first half and threatened little going forward

Michael Collins: 6 – tidy in possession without ever opening up the home defence

Russell Penn:

James Berrett: 5 – found it hard to impose himself and no telling contributions in final third

Anthony Straker: 6 – teed up Coulson’s goal but needed to cause greater danger

Vadaine Oliver: 5 – largely shackled by home defence and lacked urgency

STAR MAN Michael Coulson: 7 – well-struck finish and only genuine goal threat

Substitutes: Emile Sinclair 5 – ineffective (for Penn, 12), Rhys Turner (for Oliver, 79).

Subs not used: Michael Ingham, Dave Winfield, Ben Godfrey, Josh Carson, David Tutonda.

Barnet Jamie Stephens, Josh Clarke, Michael Nelson, Bondz N’Gala, Elliott Johnson, Andy Yiadom, Curtis Weston (Sam Togwell, 77), Tom Champion, Luke Gambin (Justin Nwogu, 53), Michael Gash, Aaron McLean (John Akinde, 53). Subs not used: Gavin Hoyte, Sam Muggleton, Matt Stevens, Kai McKenzie-Lyle.

Barnet star man: Gash – better performance than any he managed for City

Referee: Michael Bull. Rating: 7/10 – a little fussy but no glaring errors

Booked: McCoy 36, Yiadom 67, Collins 86.

Attendance: 1,767 (398 from City)

Shots on target: Barnet 5, City 3

Shots off target: Barnet 4, City 1

Corners: Barnet 4, City 2

Fouls conceded: Barnet 13, City 19

Offsides: Barnet 4, City 4