Bar take valuable point in Hertfordshire derby

Potters Bar and Bishop's Stortford could not be separated at the R&D Advisors Stadium, drawing 1-1.

The hosts took the lead in the 65th minute through Frankie Merrifield, but Bar equalised soon after via a scrappy Mo Kamara finish.

It was a fast-paced affair that saw Lee Protheroe name four debutants, in an impressive display from his new-look side.

Story of the match:

Kasim Aidoo looked to get an early counter attack for Bar, but the offside flag denied him.

Quentin Monville saw his header go wide in a good start to the tie from The Scholars.

Wraynel Hercules had the best chance of the opening ten minutes as he raced in on goal, but a strong stop from Jack Giddens denied the debutant.

The hosts appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved the appeals away.

The Blues then had their own period of control in the match, heading wide from a corner and forcing Dante Baptiste into a smart stop in goal.

Aidoo made a driving run down the wing and played the ball across the box, but his cross was cleared.

Monville's effort from inside the box dragged just wide to bring an eventful opening 15 minutes to a close.

The hosts broke down the right-hand side, but the ball could not be brought down by the striker which allowed Joe Russell to clear his lines.

Miles Mitchell-Nelson did enough to prevent The Blues taking the lead with a promising headed chance.

The ball was floated into the box, and with a Stortford head first to the ball, Mitchell-Nelson could only hope his pressure would be enough to force Merrifield to head wide, which fortunately for Bar he did.

Mitchell-Nelson was at the other end with a headed chance of his own soon after, but he could only force a save from Giddens.

Hercules tried to get onto the end of a pass, but it was cleared as far as Calvin Dickson who tried to play in Aidoo, but the pass was just too heavy for the winger.

Baptiste was on hand to make a good save, to deny Ryan Charles giving Stortford the lead before half time.

It was goalless at the break despite an action packed start to the game which could have seen both sides score.

The hosts began the second half strongly, as Baptiste made a superb save in a scramble to keep the game at 0-0.

Mo Kamara did well to work the ball into the box, but the clever move came to nothing.

Around the hour mark, a last ditch challenge from Mitchell-Nelson kept the hosts out.

It was not long before the ball was in the back of the net however, as Merrifield made up for his earlier miss to slot home after a break down the right wing.

Aidoo's deflected free kick crashed against the bar as The Scholars looked for an immediate reply, which they had seconds after coming close.

It was a scrappy finish, but following a goalmouth scramble, Kamara was able to turn the ball in and draw Bar level.

Baptiste, who was impressive, was once again on hand to keep out a chance, which would have been a own goal as he adjusted to palm the deflected ball away.

He also got a hand on an effort that was dipping and swerving on its way towards goal.

Hercules showed grit and determination to hound the Stortford defence, win the ball and tee up Aidoo, who could only fire narrowly wide.

Substitute Lawrence Ajong almost put Protheroe's side ahead with ten minutes to go, but despite getting on the end of a cross, it was well kept out by Giddens.

Stortford looked to get a late winner of their own, when Baptiste saved an effort which was promptly followed up with a shot which ballooned over the bar.

The hosts continued to put the pressure on, heading wide from a corner, later being denied once again by Baptiste.

It was Bar who were desperately unlucky not to score right at the end however.

Hercules picked the ball up, ran toward goal and fired a curling effort which required a wonderful save to deny Hercules a stunning last minute winner.

Full time saw the game end 1-1, in a good result for Protheroe and his side who had competed well throughout the tie.

After the game, a pleased Protheroe spoke to the Club, which you can watch here.