Barnet maintained their league status with a deserved victory over already-relegated Rushden & Diamonds.

Rushden made a good start, but neither side were able to create any clear-cut chances in the opening minutes.

Barnet had a good opportunity in the 13th minute when Tresor Kandol headed over when unmarked, and a minute later the same player had another good chance but headed weakly at Dan Crane.

After 28 minutes a clever free-kick involving Rushden's Darren Caskey ended with Marcus Kelly shooting just wide.

In the 32nd minute, Rushden's Petr Mikolanda put in a superb cross which almost put in Caskey, but Ross Flitney raced from his goal to avert the danger.

There were few other chances in the first half.

Early in the second half Kelly blasted over for Rushden after the ball had dropped for him on the edge of the box, and two minutes later Barnet's Dean Sinclair saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Tony Stokes.

Barnet took the lead after 51 minutes when Wayne Hatswell failed to cut out Paulo Vernazza's chip and Liam Hatch latched on to the ball to beat Crane from eight yards.

Three minutes later Barnet increased their lead when Crane failed to hold a fierce shot from Hatch and Nicky Bailey followed up to score from close range.

After 69 minutes a speculative shot from substitute Simeon Jackson was inches wide, and in the 78th minute a great pass by teenage substitute Tom Shaw put in Lee Tomlin, but the striker's touch let him down.

Rushden pulled a goal back in the 86th minute when Caskey pulled his free-kick back for Jackson to shoot home from 15 yards.

Despite late pressure the Barnet defence held firm as they held on for a deserved victory, averting any danger of falling into the Conference.