Sheltons Stoppage-Time Header Lifts Barnet Over Tranmere

Barnet FC delivered a dramatic finish at The Hive Stadium on Tuesday night, snatching a 1-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two thanks to Mark Shelton’s header deep into stoppage time. For the home fans braving the cold London evening, it was a reward for their faith—and for Barnet, a sign that their resurgence under head coach Dean Brennan is no fluke.

Coming into the fixture, Barnet sat 13th in the league, fresh off a thrilling 3-2 win against Oldham Athletic. That victory had not only lifted spirits but also moved the Bees within seven points of the play-off spots. Brennan’s side had won three of their last four league matches, a run that had supporters daring to dream of a late-season push. The visitors, meanwhile, were mired in a rough patch. Tranmere Rovers had lost three consecutive matches and tumbled to 17th in the table, conceding nine goals in that span—a statistic that had become a sore point for head coach Andy Crosby.

With the stakes high, the atmosphere at The Hive was charged. The match was also available live in the UK on Sky Sports+ and via the Sky Sports app, giving fans unable to make the trip a front-row seat to the action. It was the first competitive meeting between these two clubs in the capital, and anticipation was palpable.

Barnet wasted no time setting the tempo. Within the opening minute, a corner broke kindly to Nnamdi Ofoborh on the edge of the area. His powerful strike, however, flashed inches wide—an early warning shot that had Tranmere scrambling. But the visitors soon found their footing. In the 16th minute, Charlie Whitaker—Tranmere’s attacking talisman with nine goals and three assists this season—surged past three defenders in signature style and unleashed a fierce effort that drifted just wide of the right-hand post. It was the first of several moments that suggested Rovers were not about to roll over easily.

Just minutes later, Tranmere nearly broke the deadlock. Dylan Jones, one of Crosby’s new signings, forced a corner. Sam Finley’s outswinging delivery found Connor Jennings, whose side-footed shot seemed destined for the net before it was dramatically cleared off the line. Ofoborh, again at the heart of Barnet’s defensive effort, was later credited with a vital intervention inside the box to deny Jones in the build-up. The tension on the pitch was matched by the nervous energy in the stands.

But football can be cruel, and Tranmere’s fortunes took a turn for the worse. Jennings, so often a key figure for Rovers, went down awkwardly on the touchline with no one near him. The stadium fell silent as he received lengthy treatment before being carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Joe Ironside. For a team already struggling, the loss of such an influential player was a bitter blow.

After the restart, Tranmere pressed forward. Nathan Smith found himself with a golden opportunity from close range, but Barnet’s goalkeeper Cieran Slicker was quick off his line to smother the effort—a crucial save that kept the match goalless. At the opposite end, Kabongo Tshimanga, fresh off his match-winning performance against Oldham, broke through one-on-one, rounded Tranmere’s Joe Murphy, and went to ground. The referee, however, saw no contact and promptly booked Tshimanga for simulation, much to the frustration of the home faithful.

The match ebbed and flowed, with both sides carving out half-chances. Billy Blacker cut inside the penalty area and curled a low shot toward goal, but Murphy saved comfortably. As the contest entered its final quarter, Barnet’s Idris Kanu fired a shot across the face of goal, only for Murphy to respond with two strong wrists, keeping Tranmere’s hopes alive. The Rovers, desperate to end their losing streak, defended resolutely as the clock ticked down.

In the closing stages, Adam Senior unleashed a powerful drive from distance that Murphy parried away. The rebound fell to Shelton, who saw his follow-up gathered by the Tranmere goalkeeper. It looked as if Rovers were about to secure a hard-fought point—their first since New Year’s Day. But football, as ever, had other ideas.

With the match deep into added time, Barnet won a last-gasp corner. The delivery was perfect, and Shelton, arriving unmarked at the back post, powered his header past Murphy to send The Hive into raptures. The 96th-minute goal was a cruel twist for Tranmere, who had battled valiantly but were left devastated by another narrow defeat. As the final whistle blew, Barnet’s players and supporters celebrated a win that not only extended their impressive run but also kept their play-off hopes alive.

After the match, the mood in the Barnet camp was understandably jubilant. Head coach Dean Brennan has instilled a steely resilience in his side, and the late winner was a testament to their persistence. The Bees have now won four of their last five league games—a remarkable turnaround that has them eyeing a climb up the table. For Tranmere, the sense of déjà vu was palpable. Despite positive spells and a clear improvement in defensive organization, the Rovers’ inability to see out matches continues to haunt them. Head coach Andy Crosby, who welcomed back key player Omari Patrick and handed starts to new signings Will Tamen and Dylan Jones, will be left ruing missed chances and the cruel nature of stoppage-time heartbreak.

“We were seconds away from ending our losing run,” Crosby admitted after the match, “but it’s another tough lesson for the lads. We’ve got to regroup and keep fighting.” For Barnet, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum and building on their newfound belief. The likes of Tshimanga and Ofoborh have emerged as pivotal figures, while Shelton’s late heroics will be remembered for weeks to come.

As the League Two campaign rolls on, both clubs face critical junctures. Barnet, with renewed confidence and a taste for late drama, look poised to challenge for a play-off spot if they can sustain their form. Tranmere, meanwhile, must quickly address their defensive frailties and rediscover their winning touch if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.

For now, though, it’s Barnet’s night—a night when perseverance paid off, the home crowd went home happy, and the Bees kept buzzing toward the business end of the season.