JOHN Coleman's local pharmacist could be in for record sales of Paracetamol this week as Saturday's new-look rearguard did enough to give the Accrington Stanley manager more than just the one selection headache.

With the Reds' chief forced into three changes at the back, while fullbacks Steve Hollis and Peter Cavanagh as well as central defender Robbie Williams all served a one-match ban, there were a number of players desperate to be given the nod and a chance to earn a shirt.

In the end, Gordon Armstrong came in for Hollis following sporadic spells in midfield this season, Paul Howarth was drafted in for Cavanagh for only his second game this term while Steve Halford returned to the starting line-up following his own suspension and injury.

Jonathan Smith completed the back four, and they performed outstandingly well as a unit.

But the changes didn't stop there.

After conceding eight goals in two games, Jon Kennedy was preferred in the starting line-up by last season's ever present stopper Jamie Speare.

Coleman felt Kennedy needed time for his knocked confidence to be restored, and Speare demonstrated his desire to reclaim the number one jersey with a stunning display, punctuated with firm punches, blocks and a number of comfortable saves.

The likeable Scouser, although he was never overly tested, arguably had to be the most alert as Stanley took tentative steps in the opening exchanges, while Bees strikers Liam Hatch and the Conference leading goalscorer Giuliano Grazioli sought to make an impact.

Smith performed heroics after just three minutes when Hatch burst past him down the left and cut inside, but Smith caught up to make a timely tackle on the edge of the box.

Stanley then had appeals for a penalty ignored after Lutel James headed on Rory Prendergast's delivery and, under pressure from Andy Procter, Ismail Yakubu appeared to handle the ball.

Procter then had a shot across the face of goal and all it would have needed was a touch at the far left post to turn it in but there was no-one on hand.

As the Reds upped the tempo, Paul Mullin, who was handed the captain's armband in the absence of Cavanagh, had a glancing header saved. Barnet broke quickly but Speare was more than equal to Hatch's low drive.

Howarth then supplied Mullin with a good ball forward, the striker had space to run into but chose to shoot first time and handed Shane Gore a comfortable stop.

Barnet captain Ian Hendon cracked a shot which was always going wide before Howarth got a header to Hatch's cross. Ged Brannan, on his home debut, then firmly headed clear Simon King's attempt to get the ball back in the danger zone.

Neither side could break the deadlock before half-time, but with Grazioli getting quieter as the minutes ticked on, Coleman knew Barnet were there for the taking and gave wide men Prendergast and James licence to push on more up front.

And it took less than two minutes for the new strategy to take effect.

Barnet will no doubt claim Stanley's first was scored in controversial circumstances, after a James header was parried by the keeper and seemed to rebound off the striker following Prendergast's inswinging corner.

But the referee claimed it had hit a Barnet defender last and awarded a second set-piece.

Prendergast did the honours once more, Smith's header at the far post brought a superb save from Gore before Smith nodded the rebound square and Mullin glanced it down for his 11th goal of the campaign.

Halford prevented an equaliser 10 minutes later after clearing Mark Rooney's goalbound effort off the line. The Reds broke and Prendergast, revelling in the space Barnet afforded him on the left flank, went on a solo run.

The move deserved a goal but his right-foot shot from around 20 yards screamed just wide of the post.

But Stanley's new-found attacking prowess soon earned them a second. Mullin latched on to a long ball forward, spotted the keeper off his line and chipped him. The ball looked set to clear the bar but dipped at the right time to nestle into the bottom of the net.

Barnet brought on three pairs of fresh legs to try to spice things up but the Reds' rearguard remained resolute while, at the opposite end, they looked exceedingly dangerous on the break.

Nerves of steel, gutsy defending, a clean sheet, two goals and three points against the third-placed side - Coleman couldn't ask for more. Except, perhaps, for that selection headache to get easier in time for next Saturday's FA Cup clash with Bournemouth.

STANLEY 2

Mullin 47, 61

BARNET 0

Interlink Express Stadium Att: 1,120