Two late goals saw Barnet lose 3-1 at home to Grimsby Town and cut the Bees' lead at the summit to one point, meaning Bristol Rovers can go top on Tuesday night. 

Skipper Charlie MacDonald wrote in his programme notes that Town’s visit was no more important than any other game. But on this evidence defeat against the Mariners could have proved pivotal in the Conference promotion battle.

The Bees could surrender top spot for the first time since August 30 if Roversm who beat Altrincham 1-0 this afternoon, overcome Braintree Town on Tuesday night.

With 11 games to go the title race has been blown wide open.

Grimsby opened the scoring in the 27th minute; Christian Jolley converting from close range.

Barnet drew level after 11 second-half minutes when Conor Clifford netted his first goal for the club. But in the dying minutes Town struck two killer blows as first Craig Disley and then Jon-Paul Pittman netted to seal all three points.

Martin Allen made three changes – two enforced – to the side which lost at Wrexham last time out. In came Michael Gash, Luisma Villa and David Stephens, with the suspended John Akinde, Clifford and Jack Saville making way.

Gash was making his first start since January 4 and his loan spell with Nuneaton Town, whilst Stephens was starting for the first time since the 3-1 loss at Blundell Park last month.

Graham Stack began in goal, with Andy Yiadom, fresh from scoring for England in midweek, Stephens, Bondz N’Gala and Elliott Johnson in front of him.

Luisma, Sam Togwell, Curtis Weston and Lee Cook comprised the midfield quartet. Gash partnered MacDonald up top as Akinde missed his first Conference fixture of the season Kicking towards a vociferous Grimsby support, the Bees started the stronger of the two sides but could not test goalkeeper James McKeown.

Instead, it was the Mariners who grew into the clash and slowly began to assert themselves on the game.

There was an enormous let off for Barnet in the 13th minute as Jack Mackreth’s right-wing cross was only side-footed wide by Nathan Arnold on the volley.

Two minutes later the Bees escaped by the skin of their teeth once more. John-Lewis’ header across goal looked like a routine claim for Stack until Togwell chested the ball past his goalkeeper and had to react quickly in order to hook the ball to safety.

After two narrow escapes Barnet did not get lucky a third time, though, and were finally punished by Paul Hurst’s side just before the half-hour mark.

Johnson lost the tussle for possession out on the left-hand byline, allowing Mackreth to wriggle free and cut back perfectly for Jolley to fire across Stack and into the far bottom corner of the net.

Barnet were then dealt another blow when Togwell, having earlier been on the receiving end of a stern challenge from Craig Clay, had to be withdrawn and replaced by Clifford.

The Bees finally tested Town goalkeeper McKeown when Weston fired a half-volley towards goal from 18 yards but it lacked the purchased to trouble the visiting stopper.

Two minutes before the break Stack had to be alert to prevent the Mariners from doubling up. Lenell John-Lewis, who scored in the win at Blundell Park last month, let fly from 25 yards but Stack gone down well to his right to push the effort to safety.

Barnet were greatly improved after the break and ought to have tested McKeown when an elaborate back-heeled flick from Weston allowed MacDonald to scamper into the area and crack a half volley over.

But seconds later the Bees did draw level, substitute Clifford scoring the equaliser which brought a palpable sense of relief around the ground.

The Southend United loanee took aim from the edge of the penalty area and planted a sumptuous strike beyond the grasp of despairing town keeper McKeown.

And the goal lit the blue touch-paper as both sides went in search of a winner.

Attempts on target remained at a premium, with Arnold coming closest in the aftermath of Clifford’s equaliser when he stabbed wide from a good position having combined well with substitute Pittman.

The next clear-cut chance went the way of Grimsby too. A quick breakaway from the visitors enabled Pittman to cross for strike partner John-Lewis to stoop and head towards the bottom right-hand corner only for Stack to fling himself full length and push the header away.

With just four minutes left on the clock Barnet forced an even more impressive stop from Grimsby’s McKeown; Villa cutting in from the left and bending towards the top corner only to see his effort clawed away.

But the drama was only just beginning.

In the 90th minute the visitors broke away and after Clay's cross was helped on by Arnold, skipper Disley rammed home from point-blank range to spark pandemonium amongst the sizable travelling support in the North Terrace.

Less than two minutes later the game was up as Pittman turned home from close range after Stack repelled an initial effort.

All eyes turn to the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.

Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens (Saville 79), N'Gala, Johnson; Villa, Togwell (Clifford 34), Weston, Cook (Gambin 72); MacDonald, Gash.

Substitutes: Muggleton, Vilhete.

Grimsby Town: McKeown; Magnay, Pearson, Nsiala, Robertson; Mackreth, Disley, Clay (Parslow 90), Arnold; Jolley (Pittman 70), John-Lewis.

Substitutes: Brown, Hannah, Watson.

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley.

Attendance: 2,756