VANARAMA Conference leaders Barnet let slip an early lead in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Braintree.

The Bees, who host Richard Hill’s Eastleigh at The Hive Stadium tomorrow, made a 12th-minute breakthrough courtesy of ex-Bristol City and Portsmouth striker John Akinde’s seventh goal of the season.

But Barnet were pegged back nine minutes before the break when Braintree’s Jordan Cox powered home Ryan Peters’ cross from close range.

With FC Halifax winning 2-0 at Alfreton, Barnet had their lead trimmed to two points.

But Bees goalkeeper Graham Stack was well satisfied with a haul of seven points from their last three games and was full of praise for 6ft 2in top scorer Akinde.

Giving the Eastleigh defence a taste of what lies in store tomorrow, he said: “John is key. He is an absolute powerhouse and a centre-half’s nightmare.

“He is quick, strong, powerful and knows where the goal is, as we have seen all season.

“He is scoring goals at will at the minute, both in open play and from the spot. I’m delighted for him because he works ever so hard. He has been outstanding this season and that will give him a lot of confidence.”

Another member of Martin Allen’s squad who will be familiar to south coast fans is former Saints academy prospect Sam Hoskins.

The striker joined the Bees last month on a short-term loan from Yeovil Town and scored with his first touch for the club as a second-half sub during the 5-0 home win over Altrincham.

Dorchester-born Hoskins, 21, joined Yeovil in the summer of 2013 after coming through the ranks of Southampton’s prestigious youth academy. During his time with Saints he was loaned to Stevenage, Rotherham and Preston.