Two goals in the first eight minutes saw Barnet win 2-0 at Gateshead and more importantly, put a five-point gap between the Bees and second-placed Halifax Town.

Barnet made a fast start in the north east and took a 2-0 lead into half time thanks to goals from stand-in captain Curtis Weston and Luisma Villa inside the opening eight minutes.

Woking, second place before kick-off, lost 3-1 at home to AFC Telford United, meaning the Bees have put a five-point game between themselves at the summit and the second-placed Shaymen.

Martin Allen made one change to his starting XI, bringing Mauro Vilhete back into the side in place of Sam Hoskins, who missed out with injury.

On the bench, prolific youth team forward Matt Stevens made his second appearance in the matchday squad this term, whilst goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle made his first following injury to Sam Cowler.

Graham Stack started in goal, with Andy Yiadom, David Stephens, Bondz N’Gala and Vilhete making up the back four.

The Bees lined up with five across midfield; Elliot Johnson in the centre with Sam Togwell and Weston, whilst Villa and Lee Cook began out wide. John Akinde started up front on his own.

Barnet made the ideal start, taking the lead after just three minutes. Akinde was the provider, playing a perfect through ball for skipper Weston to race onto a dink beyond Gateshead goalkeeper Adam Bartlett.

And things got even better for the Bees five minutes later when Luisma scored with just the second header of his career. Gateshead skipper Ben Clark surrendered possession with a poor touch and seizing the opportunity, Weston lobbed a cross over keeper Bartlett for Luisma to nod home.

It could have been three just five minutes later when Yiadom fired across the face of goal for Akinde, who saw his shot blocked.

Luisma almost scored a goal of the season contender ten minutes before the break when he spotted Heed keeper Bartlett off his line and launched a shot from which inside his own half which drifted narrowly over.

With the Bees comfortably on top, Heed boss Gary Mills introduced forward Michael Rankine in place of wide-man Matty Pattison after 35 minutes as the hosts changed to a 4-3-3 system in an attempt to find a way back into the game.

Two minutes before half-time, the Bees almost grabbed a third when N’Gala flashed a header narrowly wide from a Cook corner.

There was still time for Luisma to come close again, the Spaniard connecting with a Cook corner at the back post, guiding his volley narrowly over the bar.

Gateshead made two further changes at half-time, introducing Ryan Wilson and Robert Ramshaw in place of Tom Allan and John Oster.

However the home side still struggled to test Stack, with Gateshead keeper Bartlett by far the busier of the two stoppers.

Skipper Weston saw a goal disallowed for offside, whilst Luisma brought a fine save out of Bartlett as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Gateshead did threaten with 15 minutes remaining when Jon Shaw was slipped in one-on-one, but Stack made an excellent save to deny the forward, before pushing away another effort from the resulting corner.

Just eight minutes after his introduction as a substitute, Luke Gambin was withdrawn having picked up a caution. Jack Saville came on in the winger’s place and immediately threw himself headlong into the action, blocking well from Danny Wright.

However, despite a marginal improvement in the second half, the Tynesiders could not penetrate Barnet’s defence and the Bees returned to winning ways after two matches without victory.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, N'Gala, Vilhete; Luisma (Mekki 65), Weston (Gambin 72 (Saville 80)), Togwell, Johnson, Cook; Akinde.

Subs: Stevens, McKenzie-Lyle (GK).

Gateshead: Bartlett; Jones, Clark, Howe, Allan (Wilson HT); Pattison (Rankine 35), Turnbull, Oster (Ramshaw HT), Rodman; Wright, Shaw.

Subs: Guy, Baxter.

Attendance: 1,747 (142 away fans).

Referee: Mr Darren England