Rickie Lambert's second-half goal put Bristol Rovers into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in nine years after a 1-0 win over Barnet.Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips, who starred in the FA Cup third-round giantkilling of Premier League Fulham, continued his shoot-out heroics by saving Jason Puncheon's second-minute penalty to deny Barnet an early lead.

And after Lambert headed Rovers in front three minutes into the second period, the visitors were able to hold on comfortably and clinch their place in the draw.

The clash gave both sides the opportunity to take their minds off forgettable league campaigns - with Rovers struggling in 18th in League One, and Barnet 16th in the league below.

And the game was just two minutes old when it erupted in controversial circumstances.

Rovers defender Danny Coles was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area, but Puncheon's powerful drive was beaten away by Phillips.

Chris Lines tried his luck at the other end just moments later, but Lee Harrison was on hand to make the save.

Stuart Campbell was inches away from an opener but his effort from just outside the box drifted left of the target.

Despite the early scare, it was Rovers who settled quickest of the two teams and a shot from just outside the box by Andrew Williams again went narrowly wide after 20 minutes.

Heroic Phillips was once again on top of his game, and he denied two Cliff Akurang efforts in quick succession to keep his side in the match.

Barnet, who also triumphed via a penalty shoot-out win over Swindon, found themselves on the back foot for much of the first half, and were let off again when Lambert struck wide after half an hour.

The second half began in similarly frantic fashion as the first, and this time Rovers got their breakthrough goal.

Lambert was alert in the area and first to meet David Pipe's inviting cross, heading home clinically from close range.

Barnet battled to find their way back in, and Neal Bishop's effort from the edge of the area flew just past the mark.

Puncheon, desperate to make amends for squandering his side's early chance, then sent in a thunderous 25-yard drive but Coles was able to get his body in the way and avert the danger.

The Bees had become restricted to speculative efforts at goal and Ashley Carew saw his long-range attempt blocked by Chris Lines as Rovers began to sit back and protect their lead.

It was Rovers who were looking the more likely to grab the game's second goal and Sammy Igoe nearly did just that 15 minutes from time, but his shot dragged wide of the right post.

Lambert, too, was pressing for his second of the match, but was twice denied by Harrison in the closing 10 minutes.

At the other end, Phillips' job was not quite done, and he had to get down well to prevent substitute Giuliano Grazioli from equalising four minutes from the whistle.

But Rovers managed to hold on and reach the fifth round for the first time since 1999, when they were defeated by Barnsley.

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