Martin Allen admitted the four changes he made for Barnet’s 4-2 defeat at Notts County on Tuesday evening didn't work and took full responsibility for his side’s shortcomings.

The Bees head coach dropped Michael Nelson, John Akinde, Luke Gambin and Michael Gash to the bench for the visit to Meadow Lane, introducing Gavin Hoyte, Sam Togwell, Shaun Batt and new loan signing Jack Stacey in their place.

But within nine minutes Allen’s best-laid plans were lying in tatters as the Magpies raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Mike Edwards and Jon Stead.

Alan Sheehan, who hung around the tunnel area afterwards to chat to Allen having played under him at County previously, scored a third direct from a free-kick before Aaron McLean threw Barnet a lifeline with a free-kick of his own.

But the hosts immediately went 4-1 up through Edwards again before Luke Gambin rattled home a second consolation goal for the Bees at the death.

Reflecting on defeat on the banks of the River Trent, a candid Allen said: “It was a mountain to climb at 2-0 down after nine minutes; it was a very disappointing start.

“I freshened up the team. I know this is a big pitch and they have some very good attacking players so we had to try to cover that.

“Those changes never worked, we were 2-0 down after nine minutes and after that it’s a difficult game.”

Asked if he believed his decisions were still justifiable with hindsight, Allen replied: “Well the responsibility is on me.

“We’ve seen before Michael Nelson has struggled with three games in a week. Having watched DVDs of the opposition I know how quick they are up front.

“I know they are dangerous players, Izale McLeod and Jon Stead, and I fully expected them to play with two up front tonight, so I felt it was the right decision to play with Gavin Hoyte’s pace up against those two.

“John Akinde, I felt, needed a rest and needs a rest at the moment. He’s done exceptionally well for our football club.

“He found it a little bit difficult against Morecambe so I thought I would freshen him up and get him ready for Mansfield Town.

“Shaun Batt has probably been the outstanding player in training for the last two or three weeks. He’s got great pace, great energy and I thought he did ok tonight getting in behind.

“The reason I didn’t put John on is he’s got a tight hamstring. That’s not the reason I left him out because I would have put him on at half time. But he said it was tight and he didn’t want to risk it. Of course, that has to be respected.

“Playing Curtis Weston in the number ten position worked extremely well at Oxford United a few weeks ago and I don’t think anyone could knock that one.

“Jack Stacey and Josh Clarke, the two loanees, they’ve both got great quality. Jack has got a fantastic scoring record. They’re both good players but it wasn’t to be for those two tonight.”

The Bees were improved in the second half but always looked susceptible to Nott County’s pace on the counter-attack as they went in search of a path back into the tie.

“I thought the second half was a positive reaction but as we all know, at 2-0 down the horse has already bolted,” said Allen.

“You have to stay in these games and even if it’s 1-0 with ten or 15 minutes to go you’ve always got a chance to get back in it.

“But on the counter-attack I thought they always looked dangerous and we got what we deserved to be quite honest.”

Click here to read the match report from Barnet's defeat at Notts County.