WES Thomas scored twice as Oxford United recovered from a poor start to draw their final friendly of pre-season against Barnet.

The striker’s double either side of the break undid the damage done by a lively opening from Barnet.

Curtis Weston and John Akinde struck fine goals and the scoreline did not flatter the League Two hosts, who went on to run United ragged.

Akinde was a handful throughout and won two penalties in the second half, missing one and scoring another to put the Bees back in front.

Dan Crowley’s tap-in after debutant Kane Hemmings hit the post late on ensured United avoided defeat, although their inability to cope with Akinde in particular was troubling a week before the start of the League One campaign.

Alex MacDonald was a surprise starter for the U’s after recovering from a torn hip muscle, but there was no place for Chris Maguire or Chey Dunkley after they picked up minor knocks in training.

Barnet were chosen as the final pre-season opponents to give Michael Appleton’s side a physical test – and it was one they failed early on.

The hosts raced into a two-goal lead inside 11 minutes, although there was more to their goals than brute force.

Weston opened the scoring with a classy cushioned volley at the back post from Luke Gambin’s deep cross.

Akinde came up with an even better finish with the next chance, which he lashed home first-time from 20 yards after a neat build-up.

United really struggled to contain the big striker, who ran the show for much of the half.

It could easily have been 3-0 after a quarter of an hour.

Akinde nutmegged Joe Skarz and then outmuscled Joe Rothwell before cutting the ball back for Alex Nicholls to hit the base of Simon Eastwood’s right-hand post.

The United goalkeeper also saved a header and a powerful drive from Akinde, who was enjoying his afternoon.

The same could not be said for the visitors, who saw plenty of the ball around Barnet’s box, but had precious little to show for it.

It took more than 40 minutes for them to stretch Bees goalkeeper Josh Vickers, who denied Ryan Taylor.

United finally got their act together and drew level thanks to goals either side of the interval.

First MacDonald, who had played with purpose throughout, curled in a quality cross from the right flank which Thomas headed powerfully into the far corner.

The striker doubled his tally in the first minute after the restart.

Running on to a pass from Christian Ribeiro, Thomas breezed past Michael Nelson before unleashing a strike which Vickers could only deflect into the net.

But back came Barnet, who won a penalty when Akinde was brought down running across the area.

The striker strolled up casually, before rolling the ball wide to Eastwood’s left.

Akinde was given a chance to make amends 15 minutes later, when he again went down in the box, this time after a tug from Aaron Martin.

Second time around he made no mistake, picking out the right corner of the net.

United handed debuts to new signings Kane Hemmings and Tyler Roberts – and the former was heavily involved in getting the visitors back on level terms again.

The striker latched on to a weak backpass and rounded Vickers, but from an acute angle his shot hit the post and fell for Crowley to tap into an empty net and earn a draw.

Barnet: Vickers, Taylor, Nelson, Dembele (N’Gala HT), Johnson (Muggleton 86), Watson (Gash 53),Weston (Champion 74), Togwell, Gambin (Akpa Akpro 56), Nicholls (Vilhete 67), Akinde.

Unused subs: Beasant, Tomlinson, Batt.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Ribeiro, Nelson, Martin, Skarz, MacDonald (T Roberts 63), Lundstram, Sercombe (Ruffels 44), Rothwell (J Roberts 84), Thomas (Hemmings 61),Taylor (Crowley 69).

Unused subs: Buchel, Long.

Referee: Mick Russell Attendance: Not given.