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.
9. LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Shadrach Ogie of Leyton Orient wins a header over Ben Garrity of Port Vale during the Sky Bet League Two match between Leyton Orient and Port Vale at The Breyer Group Stadium on January 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Actual position:16th Actual points:33 Leyton Orient move up three positions on goal difference if games stop at 90 minutes. They threw the game away against Port Vale conceding twice in stoppage time to lose 3-2. | Getty Images
10. 14th, Harrogate - 37 points
Actual position: 15th Actual points:38. Harrogate have seen the result of two games changed, most recently dropping points to Exeter City. | Getty Images Photo: George Wood
11. 16th, Hartlepool - 36 points
Actual position: 14th. Actual points: 40. Hartlepool have seen the outcome of two results changed, one being against Rochdale where Mark Shelton bagged the winner for them. | Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images
12. BRISTOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Joey Barton the manager of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League Two match between Bristol Rovers and Port Vale at Memorial Stadium on December 07, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Actual position: 11th. Actual points: 41 Rovers have been involved in five games where stoppage time goals have affected the result. Salford scored a late equaliser against Rovers to tie the game 1-1. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele