FA Cup: Non-League Barnet hold Brentford in six-goal battle of the Bees

Barnet 3-3 Brentford: ​Ollie Watkins reportedly apologised to Barnet's players for diving to win Brentford a controversial penalty

A late equaliser from substitute Dan Sparkes ensured there is still non-league interest in the FA Cup as Barnet fought back to take Championship Brentford to a fourth round replay.

Sparkes’s 75th minute free-kick was the last meaningful act in a thrilling tie that swung in favour of first one side and the other.

Trailing to Ollie Watkins’ 40th minute opening goal, National League Barnet hit back with two goals from Shaquile Coulthirst in three minutes at the start of the second half. Then having again fallen behind to a disputed Neal Maupay penalty and Sergi Canos, Barnet dug deep to ensure the two teams will meet again with a trip to Swansea awaiting the eventual winner.

Barnet’s victory at Sheffield United was one of the shocks of the third round and with that impressive result behind, there was a clear sense of belief among the non-league side that they were capable of claiming another Championship scalp.

The way the home side started the game confirmed they were by no means intimidated by the prospect of of facing opponents three divisions above them, with Brentford forced into some frantic early defending.

Thomas Frank made five changes to the side that beat Rotherham United 4-2 last time out but there was no suggestion were taking this game lightly. Frank has turned things around after a dismal start to his time at Griffin Park when the manager won just one of his first ten games in charge befor triggering an unbeaten run that meant they arrived at the Hive unbeaten in seven games.

And after weathering a period of early pressure, they began to assert themselves and might have taken the lead had the woodwork not twice come to the rescue of Barnet.Yoann Barbet, the Brentford centre-back, did well to escape his marker before meeting a corner with a flicked header that came back off the post in the eighth minute.

Then midway through the half, Moses Odubajo came even closer to opening the scoring when he drilled in a powerful shot from 25 yards out that rebounded to safety off the inside of the post.

Sergi Canos scored Brentford’s third (Getty)

Had there been any doubts in Barnet minds about their ability to compete on equal terms, they would surely have emerged at that point. Instead, they regrouped and fought back impressively after an excellent tackle by Dan Sweeney, the home defender, had denied Neal Maupay a run on goal inside the penalty area.

Sweeney quickly made his presence felt at the other end of the pitch, drawing an excellent save from Luke Daniels with a towering header from a corner as Barnet again provided a reminder of their threat.

Ollie Watkins appeared to dive to win Brentford a penalty (Getty)

Brentford, though, had shown enough to suggest they possessed more creativity up front and the opening goal when it came highlighted that difference. Watkins controlled a ball forward on his chest, moved towards the Barnet area and unleashed a low shot that beat Will Huffer, the goalkeeper, from 25 yards out

The home side faced a test of character and they were back in the game when Coulthirst slotted home in the 50th minute before quickly producing a second cool finish. Maupay levelled after David Tutonda was adjudged to have fouled Watkins in the 60th minute before Canos turned home from close range eleven minutes later.

But the drama was not over, and Sparkes’s effort means Barnet hopes of reaching the fifth round for the first time are still alive.