Ward struck inside six minutes to hand the Pilgrims a dream start in North London - and the Pilgrims held their advantage until the 57th minute.

Callum Stead levelled, Nik Tavares put the Bees ahead 13 minutes later and Nicke Kabamba wrapped up Barnet's comeback four minutes from time.

The Pilgrims got off to a dream start - but had needed a first minute save from Aidan Stone to keep out Stead's powerful effort.

Jacob Hazel clipped WARD into the clear and he slid home his third league goal - and fifth overall - beyond the onrushing Nick Hayes.

Barnet's response was muted, with Kabamba glancing a header off target and Stone comfortably denying Zak Brunt.

The Bees started the second half strongly, with Ben Coker rattling the crossbar with a 47th minute 30-yard free-kick.

Ten minutes later, the hosts were back on level terms with STEAD getting up highest to glance home Coker's left-wing cross.

Barnet scored a second headed goal in the 70th minute when sub Idris Kanu's cross from the right looped up kindly off a combination of Zak Mills and Jai Rowe, with TAVARES dispatching the ball beyond Stone from close-range.

Stone made a further save to deny Kanu, but there was no stopping Barnet adding a third when KABAMBA flicked home Jordan Cropper's low cross in the 86th minute.

Barnet (3-5-2): Nick Hayes; Nik Tavares, Adebola Oluwo, Myles Kenlock; Ryan Glover (Idris Kanu 66), Zak Brunt (Jordan Cropper 82), Anthony Hartigan, Bailey Hobson (Joe Grimwood 90), Ben Coker (Jerome Okimo 90); Nicke Kambamba, Callum Stead. Subs (not used): Joe Kizzi, Jordan Gillmore (gk).

Boston (4-3-3): Aidan Stone; Jai Rowe, Tom Leak, Zak Mills, Cameron Green; Dylan Hill (Dan Mooney 84), Jordan Richards, Frankie Maguire; Keaton Ward (Adam Marriott 74), Jacob Hazel (Pemi Aderoju 71), Tony Weston (Sam Osborne 71). Subs (not used): Kieran Coates, Michael Bostwick, Ellis Craven (gk).

Referee: Alan Dale.

Attendance: 2,006 (418 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.