Dons were way below par, and despite going close through Keith Andrews and Jemal Johnson in the second half just couldn't find an equaliser.

Their lead at the top now been reduced to eight points.

The visitors totally outclassed the Dons in the first half and could have gone in with a bigger lead.

From the start they looked dangerous and had the first effort on goal on nine minutes when Cliff Akurang's 25-yard shot just fizzed wide.

Ashley Carew had a superb chance to open the scoring on 18 minutes but he just volleyed wide after a cross from Jason Puncheon dropped at his feet.

But Carew wasn't to rue his miss too much as Barnet did open the scoring four minutes later.

Puncheon's dangerous cross missed everyone but fell perfectly to Yakubu at the back post who tapped in from point blank range.

But there was controversy straight afterwards as lineswoman Amy Raynor put her flag up, then immediately down. The Dons substitutes remonstrated with her, but the goal stood.

It took Dons nearly half an hour to register their first shot but Keith Andrews' 25-yards was well saved.

Carew should have punished the Dons when Lewington gave the ball to him just outside the box, but he shot too early and the ball went well wide.

And then on the stroke of half-time Andrews had another effort which summed up their performance, his 30-yard free-kick going absolutely miles over.

Dons kept Barnet penned in their own half after the break and had an early chance but a combination of Beckwith and Joe Devera kept out Jemal Johnson when through on goal.

From the resulting corner Sean O'Hanlon somehow headed over from point blank range.

They didn't create another chance until the 71st minite though, but it was a glorious one.

Luke Howell's cross found Andrews unmarked but from 10-yards out he just headed wide.

They continued to huff and puff, and in the last minute should have scored when Diallo's cross-come-shot was just tipped wide and substitute Aaron Wilbraham somehow headed into the side-netting.


MK Dons: Gueret, Howell (Broughton 77), Diallo (booked 21), O'Hanlon, Lewington, Wright, Navarro, Andrews, Dyer (Cameron 64), Johnson, Stirling (Wilbraham 58, booked 70)

Subs: Cameron, Broughton, Wilbraham, Carbon, Abbey

Barnet: Beckwith, Devera, Nicolau, Bishop (booked 2), Yakubu, Puncheon, Porter, Carew (booked 7), Gillet, Wright, Akurang (booked 80)

Subs: Harrison, Thomas, Grazioli, Birchall, O'Cearuill

Goals: Yakubu 22

Attendance: 9881