Lines penalty leaves honours even at Barnet

Posted Sunday, November 11, 2018 by PA

Chris Lines’ second-half penalty ensured Barnet and 10-man Bristol Rovers will have to do it all again following an entertaining 1-1 draw in the FA Cup first round.

Craig Robson headed National League outfit Barnet into a first-half lead shortly after Rovers’ Stuart Sinclair had been shown a red card for a nasty two-footed tackle.

But Lines’ spot-kick meant the game ended all square, with both going into the hat for Monday’s second-round draw

Rovers suffered a nightmare start when they went down to 10 men following Sinclair’s wild lunge just seven minutes into the game.

The Bees grew in confidence with their numerical advantage and took the lead on 16 minutes when Robson’s towering header beat Rovers keeper Adam Smith to put the underdogs in front.

Rovers’ Tom Nichols then appeared to be tripped in the box, but rather than being awarded a penalty, he was shown a yellow card for alleged simulation.

After half-time the Pirates improved, and on 64 minutes they won a penalty after Nichols went down in the box again. Lines made no mistake from the spot.

Rovers incredibly hit the woodwork three times as they pushed for a winner, but the League One side had to settle for a replay.