Torquay United have inflicted just a fourth league defeat of the season on Barnet after they prevailed by a 3-2 scoreline against the Conference Premier leaders.

Chances were few and far between during the opening stages but it was Barnet, who have outperformed their rivals during the first three months of the campaign, who looked the more likely to find the breakthrough.

However, it was the visitors who created the first opening of note after 18 minutes when Ryan Bowman volleyed into the side-netting from an acute angle, but the leaders were stunned when their opponents took the lead midway through the half.

A cross was whipped into the middle from the left flank and Louis Briscoe was on hand to slide home for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Barnet had suffered a disappointing setback in the FA Cup at the weekend and it appeared as though their confidence had taken a hit as they continued to come up short in the final third.

Shortly before the interval, Torquay doubled their lead when a free kick was turned in at the near post by Bowman to leave Barnet facing an uphill task at the break.

Martin Allen needed to deliver a stern team talk and it appeared to do the trick four minutes after the restart when Luisma Villa, who had come on as a substitute during the first half, poked home from close range.

However, a minute later, Torquay reopened their two-goal advantage when Briscoe curled into the bottom corner after being given too much time by the home defence.

A topsy-turvy game at the Bee Hive Stadium continued when Barnet reduced the deficit with 26 minutes to go when substitute Bernard Mensah netted his first goal for the Londoners with a low shot into the corner from 14 yards.

That gave Barnet the confidence to pour forward but they almost got caught at the back when Toby Ajala dragged wide, despite being left with time and space in the penalty area.

Mensah saw a late chance almost deceive goalkeeper Martin Rice but that was as good as it got for the Bees as they saw their lead at the top of the standings reduced to six points.