Barnet finished as comfortable winners but were given a big helping hand with a gift-wrapped present from Kingsley James and two decisions from assistant referee Anthony Serrano that mean he won't be on the Blues' Christmas card list.

Mr Serrano's offside flag denied Kane Richards a goal on his debut in the first half before a rare mistake from James resulted in John Akinde putting the Bees into the lead.

Chester remained in the contest until referee Dean Treleaven gave Gareth Roberts a red card seven minutes into the second half after consulting Mr Serrano, who deemed Roberts to have thrown a deliberate elbow at Luisma.

An already tough task was made far more difficult and the Bees scored twice more through Charlie MacDonald and Curtis Weston to wrap up the points.

Four months ago, Chester began the campaign with a stinging 5-0 defeat to the Bees, a result and performance that suggested another season of struggle.

Those fears had not been realised and there had been a marked improvement in both results and performances since then so the trip to The Hive gave them a chance for some redemption.

Steve Burr threw ex-Ilkeston forward Kane Richards straight into the starting side with Michael Kay dropping to the bench and Ben Heneghan reverting to right back.

Barnet boss Martin Allen had given his first team a fortnight off and put out his second string in the FA Trophy so won't have been too disappointed when Concord Rangers dumped them out 6-2 midweek.

Allen changed his entire team and reverted to his strongest possible line up with winger Lee Cook, who terrorised the Blues back in August, and 16 goal centre forward John Akinde the biggest dangers.

Chester started well with Richards having a hand in the first chance on four minutes but Sean McConville could not direct his header on goal after John Rooney's shot deflected into his path.

Barnet responded with Cook sending over a wicked free kick that Jon Worsnop had to beat out and the home side soon asserted themselves.

Chester's defensive mettle was being tested but the Bees didn't create too much and the Blues had a goal ruled out on 16 minutes when Richards lobbed Graham Stack but not before he had been flagged offside, a decision that looked harsh.

Matty Brown had a header blocked in the 24th minute and Stack saved from Richards on the follow up although Barnet continued to dictate matters.

Curtis Weston spannered a decent chance wide from the edge of the area before the Bees were gifted the lead on 28 minutes.

Kingsley James was the culprit as his backpass to Worsnop fell short and Akinde seized on the loose ball to finish well and open the scoring.

Akinde had Worsnop back-pedalling with a looping header but the keeper saved and the Blues finished the half the stronger.

Craig Hobson couldn't get enough power on his header from McConville's cross and Richards had Stack worried when he blocked his clearance after chasing down Andy Yiadom's backpass but the ball rolled wide and the hosts took a one goal lead into the break.

As in the first half, the Blues made a decent start and Hobson almost had them level on 48 minutes with a thumping strike from 25 yards that sailed over Stack and cannoned off the crossbar.

Chester's hopes took a big hit four minutes later when Gareth Roberts was dismissed for an alleged elbow on Luisma. Roberts' arm was raised but the Spaniard looked to have milked the contact and the experienced fullback was shown a straight red card. 

Barnet pushed forward and doubled the lead on 58 minutes with Cook delivering an inch perfect cross for Charlie MacDonald, who slotted home from close range.

There didn't look to be much of a way back for the Blues from that and the home side sensed more goals.

Worsnop tipped a shot from sub Mauro Vilhete around the post before another replacement Bernard Mensah curled straight at the keeper and an excellent Kieran Charnock block denied Yiadom.

With nine minutes to go the Bees got a third goal following some neat passes that ended with sub David Stephens setting up Weston, who drilled a low shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards.

Chester FC: Worsnop, Heneghan, Brown, Charnock, G Roberts, James, Rooney, Mahon, McConville, Richards, Hobson (Touray 55).

Subs: Kay, Winn, Peers, Greenop.

Sent off: Roberts.

Booked: Heneghanm, Charnock, Mahon.

Barnet: Stack, Yiadom, N'Gala, Saville, Johnson, Villa, Togwell, Weston, Cook (Vilhete 61), Akinde (Stephens 77), MacDonald (Mensah 69).

Subs: Muggleton, Hunt.

Goals: Akinde 28, MacDonald 58, Weston 81.

Referee: Dean Treleaven (West Sussex)

Attendance: 1,946.