First half goals from Karl Hawley and Ben Davies maintained Notts County's play-off push with a 2-0 win over struggling Barnet at Meadow Lane.

Hawley gave the Magpies the lead inside five minutes following a well worked set

piece, while Davies curled home a free-kick midway through the half.

The Bees began the game with a containing 4-5-1 formation but their attempts to

frustrate County were immediately undone when a cross from Matt Hamshaw was

nodded down by Mike Edwards for Hawley to sweep home.

The in-form Davies stepped up to strike a lovely free-kick past Barnet

goalkeeper Jake Cole for his third goal in three games.

The hosts could easily have added more goals to their tally, with top scorer

Lee Hughes ballooning over from close range and Edwards going close with several

headers from corners as Davies ran the show.

Lowly Barnet looked desperately short of confidence and could only muster one

serious chance, substitute John O'Flynn forcing a diving stop from Kasper

Schmeichel.