Barnet manager Martin Allen has issued a rallying cry ahead of today’s Vanarama Conference massive showdown against Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.

The Bees had the led the division from the end of August until the end of February before they sacrificed what was at one point an 11-point lead over second-placed Bristol Rovers.

Allen’s side have lost momentum and were consigned to their fifth defeat in nine games 3-1 to the Spitfires’ play-off chasing rivals Forest Green Rovers last weekend.

That slump has forced the vastly experienced boss, who has managed Leicester City, Brentford, Gillingham, Cheltenham, Notts County and MK Dons, to dismiss fears that “the big clubs” and the “big spenders” can “take us” in an open letter.

“I’d like to share my thoughts and feelings after what has been a tricky and testing time for the players, staff, all of our supporters and of course myself,” ex-Pompey midfielder Allen wrote.

“After seven months of being top of this league we now find ourselves with nine games to go in second place after some performances that have seen us play well at times, make a few errors here and there that have been punished.

“A few decisions have gone against us and that general feeling on and off the field is that the bigger clubs and big spenders can take us.

“I had a long chat yesterday morning with the players and reminded each and every one of them that they are good players; that they are a good team and that with nine games to go it is in our hands.

“I reminded them that we played really well for an hour on Saturday and I reminded them what it was like here with all the supporters singing and chanting and appreciating their quality, their passion and their togetherness.

“We might not get seven thousand in and we can’t pay mega wages but what we have done and what we have got is what has got us to the top of the league, and that is something very special.

“Money is available for new players, like all of the other clubs that have been throwing it around, but I told the chairman early on Monday morning that I have total faith in everyone in our squad.

“I told him that these are the players that got us to the top, that these are the players who have played a cup final every week and that these are the players who can fulfil all of our goals. So nobody will be joining.”

Barnet captain Charlie McDonald has been ruled-out for up to a month with a calf injury, while stand-in skipper Curtis Weston was hauled off against Forest Green with a thigh problem.