AFTER the derby defeat at home to Shrewsbury Town, Wrexham hope to improve on their away form when they travel to Barnet this weekend.

If the result wasn't bad enough, the dismissal of defender Steve Evans means he will miss the next five games through suspension, starting this weekend.

With one away win from 16 games, an improvement in results on their travels will certainly help the Dragons' fight for League Two survival. Unfortunately they face a side whose home form has been impressive this season, with eight wins so far.

Barnet have clear daylight between themselves and the drop zone, lying in 16th place on 42 points. Last week they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of promotion chasers Walsall, who cruised to a 4-1 victory.

Barnet have lost three of their last four games, though they did manage to beat Swindon in this sequence, attaining a narrow 1-0 win at Underhill.

Top scorer for the Bees this season is Tresor Kandol, though they have been without his services since November, when he joined Leeds on loan before completing a permanent move during the January transfer window.

Looking to make up for the loss of Kandol will be strikers Giuliano Grazioli and Oliver Allen. Allen is the son of former Spurs striker Clive Allen, and scored the winner against Swindon. Another goal threat for the Bees could come from Nicky Bailey who has chipped in with 6 goals this season from midfield.

Last Time Out

Barnet visited the Racecourse back in August and came away with a point. After a spell of pressure Mark Jones eventually broke the deadlock with a 20-yard strike. However, Barnet came back into the game in the second half and striker Kandol equalised with a header after a neat move.

The match against Barnet is the start of a tough run of games for the Dragons, as they face three games in the space of six days. Following this fixture is a midweek trip to Shrewsbury, closely followed by the visit of Bury to the Racecourse.

Ben Roberts