Dean Brennan was pleased with the way Barnet executed their game plan as a table-topping clash at Forest Green Rovers ended in a 0-0 National League stalemate on Tuesday.

The Bees, who are now winless in their last four league outings, secured their third draw in that period while keeping themselves among the division’s best at the top.

“It was important we didn’t get beaten. I thought, in the first half when we should have been in the lead, we weren’t,” Brennan told the club website.

“They (Forest Green) made some fantastic blocks. That’s what they’re all about, and they’re very good defensively in their own box. They’re physical in the opposition box too.

“I thought it was a high-quality game without the goals being there. We made a fantastic block on the second phase as well, and I think that’s what we limited them to really - our goalie didn’t have many saves to make.

"I knew how the game would pan out; it was just whether we could take our chances when they came along. We didn’t take them.”

In recognition of the team’s display on the night, Brennan praised his side’s collective performance throughout the campaign, suggesting that levels haven’t notably dropped all season.

“There’s no doubt; our performance levels have been outstanding all season,” he explained.

“Bar Maidenhead away, our performance levels and our phases were excellent again tonight. There were times when we had to take the sting out of the game and seize control of the ball. I thought we did that.”

The Bees were able to introduce two new signings from the January window, as both striker Lindokuhle Ndlovu and goalkeeper Owen Evans made their first appearances for the club.

“I thought (Anthony) Hartigan was outstanding. We played (Nik) Tavares for a bit more security away from home. It’s good to get a clean sheet, and we’ve got two debutants within that," he said.

"I’ve been really brave in what I’ve done, bringing another goalkeeper (Owen Evans) in, but ideally you want them in from the first day of pre-season. I thought he did really well.

“Lin (Lindokuhle Ndlovu) led the line and was excellent for us. He never gave them a free header. He has a good chance from a second phase. (Callum) Stead had a header that he should score, but they (Forest Green) made a block. That’s what they do, and that’s why they’re up there.

“They’re a team that’s all about both boxes, and they’re well coached. I thought all in all, a draw’s probably a fair result.”

Barnet will look to return to winning ways this weekend when they travel to Essex to face Kevin Maher’s Southend United.

“It’s a horrible place to go. Kev’s teams come after you, so they will throw punches at us. I expect them to be right in the play-offs come the last few weeks of the season. It will be a really tough game,” added Brennan.