Barnet 2 (Hyde 5 & 70) Oxford United 2 (Rigg 6, Whing 46) (From The Oxford Times)

Barnet 2 (Hyde 5 & 70) Oxford United 2 (Rigg 6, Whing 46)

10:16pm Tuesday 20th November 2012 in Sport By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Andy Whing scores with a header

JOHNNY Mullins hit the woodwork twice in stoppage time as Oxford United shared the spoils on a wet night at Barnet.

The U's fell behind to Jake Hyde's early header, but they bounced back to lead with goals from Sean Rigg and Andy Whing.

Hyde equalised with his second goal of the night with 20 minutes remaining and both sides had chances to win the game late on.

United, who had conceded a last-gasp goal to lose on Saturday, almost claimed all three points but Mullins' late effort bounced off both posts and ran clear.

Manager Chris Wilder made two changes to the side which began the 2-1 defeat at Chesterfield on Saturday.

Adam Chapman replaced the suspended Lee Cox in central midfield, while on the left flank Rigg was fit enough to start after suffering from flu. Jake Forster-Caskey made way.

The U's had scored within 60 seconds on Saturday and there were two early goals in a frantic start at Underhill.

Barnet struck first, in the fifth minute.

Andy Yiadom's shot was deflected wide and from Mark Byrne's corner Hyde expertly glanced a header past Ryan Clarke and into the net.

The home fans were still celebrating when United equalised a minute later.

Rigg, who had scored in the FA Cup meeting between the two sides earlier this month, ran on to James Constable's knock-down to lash a volley in from eight yards.

The greasy surface in north London ensured a quick game where both defences looked uncomfortable at times.

Barnet almost scored from another corner on 25 minutes, as United were left scrambling to stay on level terms.

The dangerous Ricky Holmes blasted a shot into the ground, which span wildly and was fumbled by Clarke, who was bailed out by Peter Leven.

On the half hour it was the visitors' turn to come close at a corner, when Rigg planted a header just wide.

The winger was enjoying himself and curled a shot just past the other upright on the stroke of half time.

United made a terrific start to the second half, going in front for the first time.

Clovis Kamdjo conceded a free-kick wide on the right and from Peter Leven's whipped delivery Whing headed into the net via the crossbar.

Hyde had a chance to quickly level, but he could only shoot straight at Clarke from close range.

Just after the hour Rigg almost fluked a third just after the hour, when the winger's wayward cross clipped the crossbar..

But there was never a sense Barnet were out of the game and with 20 minutes left they drew level.

Holmes wriggled down the left and fired in a low cross which beat Mullins and was converted by Hyde.

United had an opportunity to respond when Bees goalkeeper Graham Stack caught a high clearance from Krystian Pearce.

The back pass gave United a free-kick inside the six-yard box, but after a lengthy stoppage Leven's effort was blocked and Whing shot over.

In sodden conditions both sides went in search of a winner.

Holmes came close to a spectacular goal on 85 minutes, but his sweetly-struck volley flashed wide.

Substitute Olly Lee also had Clarke worried in stoppage time, but the 25-yard effort flew wide.

But it was United who came closest to a decisive goal, through Mullins in stoppage time.

The defender was desperately unlucky to see his header strike the woodwork, as United had to settle for a point.