Stoppage time goals can be the bane of some teams seasons whilst for others they can completely change the outcome of a game, especially in League Two.
For Bristol Rovers, only Sion Spence’s goal away at Walsall back in September has reflected positively for them when a game has hinged on one goal. The Gas however have dropped points to the likes of Mansfield, Bradford and nine-man Salford City this season but on a whole fortunately fans haven’t been put through too much late drama this season.
For other teams in the division, their position changes ever so slightly if you take away for what for some teams is that dreaded additional time the fourth official shows.
What if games finished bang on the ninetieth minute though? We take a look at how the League Two table stacks up if stoppage time was removed and there are some intriguing results.
5. 20th, Barrow - 30 points
Actual position:20th Actual points:31 Barrow have only benefited from one stoppage time goal, which was against Walsall where Josh Gordon equalised in the sixth minute of additional time. | Getty Images Photo: Cameron Smith/Getty Images
6. 19th, Rochdale - 34 points
Actual position: 19th Actual points: 31. Rochdale have seen the outcome of three games changed with stoppage time goals, one game being against Harrogate where they conceded to Warren Burrell to lose 3-2. | Getty Images Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
7. 18th, Walsall - 35 points
Actual position:18th Actual points:32 Walsall have had the result changed by stoppage time goals six times, most in the whole league. One game was against Scunthorpe where they conceded late to draw 1-1. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton
8. 17th, Stevenage - 36 points
Actual position: 17th. Actual points: 33. Stevenage have only had one game affected, where Swindon scored a late equaliser to tie the game up at 1-1. | Getty Images Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images