Crewe hit back to earn point at Barnet thanks to Owen Lunt strike

Owen Lunt’s first-half equaliser ensured the spoils were shared as Barnet and Crewe played out a feisty 1-1 draw at the Hive in League Two.

The home side made a fine start and opened the scoring after seven minutes when Oli Hawkins did brilliantly to find Kabongo Tshimanga, who fired a sublime low-driving effort that beat Crewe goalkeeper Ian Lawlor at the far post.

Crewe’s first real opening arrived midway through the half as Reece Hutchinson collected Tommi O’Reilly’s pass but fired at Cieran Slicker, who then denied Josh March at his near post.

The visitors equalised in the 33rd minute as O’Reilly and Hutchinson combined well on the left to find Lunt, who steered his effort into the bottom corner past Slicker. At the other end, Danny Collinge nearly restored Barnet’s lead following a goalmouth scramble, but dragged his shot wide.

Jack Powell’s goalbound strike was cleared before Slicker denied Hutchinson’s rising effort, with Crewe boss Lee Bell then sent off in stoppage time for clashing with the referee.