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Barnet successfully held off the might of Premier League giants Arsenal to secure a 2-2 draw at Underhill.

Barnet successfully held off the might of Arsenal to secure a 2-2 draw at Underhill.

The Bees lasted until the 44th minute before conceding, with the Gunners' Russian star Andrei Arshavin finding the net.

However, the visitors' lead only lasted a minute as Ismail Yakubu met Danny Hart's free-kick with an athletic glancing header that evaded Manuel Almunia on its way into the top right corner.

Individual brilliance by Dutchman Nacer Barazite restored Arsenal's lead shortly into the second half as he weaved his way to the edge of the area where he chipped the ball home.

But Barnet fought back against the Premier League side, which was changed dramatically throughout the second half, when with eight minutes to go Elliott Charles capitalised to stab home from close range to earn the Bees a deserved draw.

Loan signing Jo struck a brace as Everton began their pre-season campaign with a thumping 4-1 triumph at Rochdale.

The Brazilian striker, who signed a one-year loan deal with the Toffees from Manchester City last week, notched after 32 and 78 minutes to put the visitors out of sight at Spotland. Chris Dagnall scored from the penalty spot for the League Two side.

Darlington were comfortably beaten 7-2 in their pre-season friendly against local giants Newcastle on Saturday.

The Quakers, playing in front of 6,698 fans at the Northern Echo Arena, failed to stem the tide of Toon attacks, which began after just three minutes with Damien Duff putting the visitors into the lead.

The League Two side were briefly level soon after though, when Dean Windass, who had earlier forced a good save from Tim Krul, converted a penalty following Tamas Kadar's trip on Mark Convery.

However, the goals soon started to flow with Kevin Nolan and two from Shola Ameobi making it 4-1 to Newcastle at half-time.

The second half was more of the same and, despite another strike from Windass, the Toon ran out comfortable winners with goals from Jonas Gutierrez, Steven Taylor and Andy Carroll completing the rout.

Chesterfield came from behind to regain the Derbyshire FA Centenary Cup with a 2-1 victory over county rivals Derby at Saltergate.

Robert Page's late header ensured a winning start for new Blues boss John Sheridan in his first game in charge.

First-half goals from Steve Williams and Michael Boulding gave Bradford a comfortable 2-0 win over York in their pre-season friendly at KitKat Crescent.

Northampton slipped to their first pre-season defeat after falling 2-1 at Corby Town.

The Cobblers trailed 2-0 at the break after goals from former Town frontman Jason Lee and an own-goal by unlucky trialist Chris Willmott. Fellow trialist Billy McKay reduced the deficit 18 minutes from time.

David Bird was on target as Cheltenham earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Championship side Bristol City in their pre-season friendly at Whaddon Road.

Bird struck with a fine free-kick midway through the second half to give Martin Allen's side the lead.

Burton Albion were floored by a 10-minute hat-trick from Nottingham Forest striker Nathan Tyson in their latest pre-season friendly.

Tyson helped himself to a treble just after the interval as the Championship side ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at the Pirelli Stadium.

Brentford were held 0-0 in their pre-season friendly match against Aldershot on Saturday

Meanwhile, Torquay United were humbled 4-1 by League One side Bristol Rovers.

The Pirates quickly established a two-goal lead with Ben Swallow opening the scoring after 17 minutes and Daryl Duffy adding a second just a minute later. Duffy scored again after half-time before Sean Rigg added a fourth.

Nicky Wroe's penalty was a mere consolation for Torquay, who won promotion to League Two last season after triumphing in the Blue Square Premier play-off final.

Theo Robinson netted a second pre-season hat-trick as Huddersfield comfortably defeated Morecambe 3-0 in their friendly.

The summer signing from Watford continued his impressive form with another sizzling treble in only his third appearance for the Terriers.

Rotherham kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Walsall at the Don Valley Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors took a two-goal first-half lead with strikes from Alex Nicholls and Richard Davies before new signing Tom Pope hit a reply.

PA Sport