BRENNAN'S BOYS SALVAGED IN 'KAMIKAZE' YEAR END

STRAIGHT talking Dean Brennan lamented ‘kamikaze’ defending despite seeing his Barnet nick a dramatic late point to end 2024 at the National League summit.

- Matthew James

The Bees’ equaliser is one for the dubious goals panel with replays showing keeper Nick Hayes possibly getting the final touch on the leveller nine minutes into stoppage time of a helter-skelter 3-3 draw against Sutton United.

It was initially credited to Ryan Glover who had earlier levelled at 1-1 with a gorgeous curling finish after Ashley Nadesan had opened for the U’s on 21 minutes.

Glover’s equaliser came on the half-hour and Brennan’s side led at the break through Adebola Oluwo’s downward header from Ben Coker’s cross.

But, on 69 minutes, Will Davies had time in the box to plant in low to make it 2-2.

And just three minutes later, Besart Topalloj made the most of mix-up at the back between Myles Kenlock and Hayes to nip in and put Steve Morison’s side back in front.

Mark Shelton hit the post as Barnet searched for parity and, with time running out, a loose ball fell to Glover who smashed in.

But Brennan was far from happy.

“I thought our defensive performance, our back three, were kamikaze – they were shocking, really,” Brennan said. “Our level of performance and the standards they’ve set, they’ve got nowhere near them. It was a terrible performance.

“And if you give goals like that away that’s what will happen. You defend like that, you come up with that mentality, it was really poor from us – and not like us to be honest.

“So that’s that addressed but we show character, showed togetherness, kept going and managed to get a late equaliser.”