Goals from Mauro Vilhete and John Akinde have earned Barnet a 2-1 victory away at Torquay United which extends their lead at the top of the Conference Premier to nine points.

It was the home side who had the better of the opening exchanges as Jordan Chapell and Louis Briscoe threatened an early goal, but Torquay fell behind on the quarter-hour mark when Vilhete curled into the top corner for his first of the campaign.

Barnet began to get on top, with Curtis Weston having a free kick deflected wide of the post, but the Bees were dealt a blow on 32 minutes when Bondz N'Gala was sent off after being adjudged to have been the last man when hauling down Briscoe.

However, Torquay's one-man advantage lasted just seven minutes as Aaron Downes was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident inside the penalty, leading to a spot kick that was converted by Akinde.

Despite facing a two-goal deficit, it was Torquay who returned after the break on the front foot, only for Luke Young, Toby Ajala and Courtney Richards to all squander openings to get their side back into the match.

Barnet almost capitalised on their opponent's failure to find the back of the net with a third strike of their own, but Weston hit the post from just inside the penalty area.

After that wasted opportunity, Barnet were content to sit back during the latter stages as Torquay pushed for a late goal, and they gave themselves a lifeline when Richards found the net off the underside of the crossbar.

However, his strike proved too little, too late, as Martin Allen's side strengthened their bid for a return to the Football League.