Vanarama National League strugglers Barnet returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Maidenhead as home fans returned at the Hive.

The Bees, who avoided a third straight defeat after battling to a 2-2 draw at promoted Torquay on Saturday, built on that point with three more at home.

It looked as if Barnet’s poor form may have continued when Jake Andrews put the Gulls ahead at Plainmoor in the 13th minute with a fine finish at the back post following Ben Wynter’s low cross from the right flank.

The hosts were then apparently cruising when Connor Lemonheigh-Evans doubled their lead.

Armani Little’s through ball allowed Lemonheigh-Evans to round Barnet goalkeeper Adam Parkes and slot into an empty net in the 23rd minute, and at that point Torquay would have moved level on points with table-topping Sutton.

The nerves in the home camp were evident, though, when Sam Sherring brought down Harry Taylor in the box and Mike Petrasso slotted home the resultant 37th-minute spot-kick before Themis Kefalas equalised after half-time.

Kefalas, who had had a first-half header cleared off the line by Adam Randell, would not be denied after 54 minutes as he headed beyond Lucas Covolan from a free-kick.

Torquay pushed forward in a late attempt to retake the lead but Barnet held on to secure a share of the spoils.

That gave them the perfect platform to take into Tuesday evening’s clash with Maidenhead and they took their opportunity to build on it.

They first went close in the 18th minute when defender Kefalas nodded wide.

Magpies keeper James Holden saved from midfielder Ephron Mason-Clark as the teams headed into the break on level terms.

Barnet defender Taylor broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, scoring his first goal for the club, and the Bee Army were soon in full voice again when Anthony Wordsworth added a second with Michael Petrasso heading a late chance wide.

After the match Taylor said it was “special” to get his first goal for the club in front of the supporters.

“It’s taken 150 odd times, but I thought I took it quite well and it was obviously very good to celebrate with the fans,” he told the club Youtube channel.