ALTRINCHAM 2, BARNET 3
Next-to-bottom Barnet snatched a dramatic late victory at Altrincham as their recent revival in National League continued.
Goals in the 88th and 89th minutes from Ephron Mason-Clark and substitute Tomi Adeloye provided the sting as the Bees stunned the Robins who looked to be coasting to victory after establishing a two-goal lead inside the opening 16 minutes.
In an incredible turnabout in their fortunes, Barnet produced a remarkable recovery, aided by a gift for their opener in first half stoppage time.
But it was a disappointing afternoon for Alty who have now won only twice in 10 league games to slide to 17th place having earlier in the season been in the promotion play-off places.
The Bees have secured two wins and two draws from their last four matches, an upturn in their fortunes as they won only one league game between the end of October and mid-April.
After a run of three straight losses Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson made five changes from the side beaten 4-0 at home by Sutton United the previous week. There was a debut for midfielder Conor Kirby, signed on loan from Harrogate Town.
They made a dream start taking a fourth minute lead through Colclough.
Dan Mooney’s initial effort was blocked, and the ball was cleared to Colclough whose first-time shot from 25 yards caught Belgium goalkeeper Aymen Azaze unaware.
It was the winger’s sixth goal of the season for the Robins following his early season capture from Scunthorpe United.
And Colclough, who has also played for Crewe and Wigan Athletic, was a key figure in the Robins’ second goal after 16 minutes.
His 25-yard free kick was beaten out by Azaze only for Richie Sutton’s dinked chip converted by Alastair Smith with a glanced header from six yards, only his second goal since his move from Mansfield Town.
There was an eventful finish to the opening half as the Robins had chances to increase their lead when Colclough’s free kick was well kept by Azaze and Mooney bent a super effort just wide of the upright.
Then in stoppage time, Barnet halved the deficit after a defensive blunder by the hosts.
Goalkeeper Tony Thompson raced from his goal to head a through ball clear only to collide with centre half Toby Mullarkey as the ball ran free from Courtney Baker-Richardson who walked the ball into the empty net.
It was a third goal of the season for the former Swansea City player as the visitors were suddenly handed a way back into the game.
The goal proved the pivotal moment of the match as it gave the Bees a belief they hadn’t earlier had.
In the one-sided second period, Baker-Richardson had a couple of decent chances, Mason-Clark’s deflected effort forced a fine save from Thompson while Alex McQueen and Canadian substitute Michael Petrasso had openings as Alty somehow held on.
Alty’s solitary goal attempt in the second period came when Smith’s drive was scrambled to safety by Azaze.
It looked as though Alty would hold on until they were hit by a double late whammy.
Mason-Clark, released by a through ball, slotted the ball through the legs of Thompson to make it 2-2 in the 88th minute.
And barely one minute later Mason-Clark turned provider with the cross for ex-Stoke City trainee Adeloye to fire home the winner with only his second goal of the season.