First half goals from Karl Hawley and Ben Davies maintained Notts County's play-off push as they recorded a 2-0 victory over struggling Barnet.
Hawley gave the Magpies the lead inside five minutes following a well-worked set-piece and Davies curled home a free-kick midway through the first half to extend Barnet's winless run to 14 matches.
The Bees began the game with a containing 4-5-1 formation but their attempt to frustrate County was immediately undone when a cross from Matt Hamshaw was nodded down by Mike Edwards for Hawley to sweep home.
The in-form Davies stepped up to strike a delightful free-kick past Barnet goalkeeper Jake Cole for his third goal in three games.
The hosts could easily have added more goals to their tally, with leading scorer Lee Hughes ballooning over from close range and Edwards going close with several headers from corners as Davies ran the show.
Lowly Barnet looked desperately short of confidence and could only muster one serious chance, substitute John O'Flynn forcing a diving stop from Kasper Schmeichel.
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