Nationwide League Division Three - 2/12/00 - Whaddon Road
Steve Cotterill described this match as the kind that gives him grey hairs and although neither manager would have been happy with the defending on display, it was a terrific spectacle for the Whaddon Road crowd.
Barnet had recorded a double over the Robins the previous season and were led by former West Ham and Everton goal machine Tony Cottee, who was player/manager of the London outfit.
Both sides were in contention for promotion and it was Cheltenham who made an early breakthrough. A long throw from Mike Duff was flicked on by big centre-half Mark Freeman. Bees' 'keeper Danny Naisbitt saved well from Mark Yates, who had connected powerfully with the flick on, but Hugh McAuley was on hand to finish clinically from the rebound.
Darren Currie always seemed to impress when he came up against Cheltenham and the tricky winger levelled the scores after 25 minutes. Currie's mazy dribble took him past Yates and Lee Howells before his low shot beat Steve Book at the near post.
Cottee then showed his class with a superb turn and shot from the edge of the area to give his side the lead. Both sides were committed to attack and it was not surprise when another goal hit the back of the net to leave the scores all square going into the break.
Yates' cross from the right was flicked on by towering striker Julian Alsop and McAuley was waiting at the far post again to beat Naisbitt from 12 yards.
Cottee continued to cause the home defence problems in the second half and his measured lob was forced over the line by Riza, who slid in ahead of the defender.
Barnet's lead only lasted for two minutes as Naisbitt flapped at a Howells cross and the ball fell to Alsop to roll home into an empty net.
A remarkable game then took another twist as the seventh and final goal was scored. Both sides had chances to seal all three points but Alsop, who had been an aerial threat throughout, completed his brace and at the same time clinched a last gasp win for Cheltenham.
The winner arrived with one minute remaining and it was another close range finish for Alsop, who prodded home after Barnet had failed to deal with a McAuley corner.
Barnet's season took an alarming turn for the worse and they ended up returning to the Conference after a miserable second half to their campaign. Cheltenham suffered a nightmare run of serious injuries and saw their play-offs hopes fade in the final weeks of a tough season for Cotterill's men.
Cheltenham Town (2) 4 (McAuley 9, 36, Alsop 62, 89)
Barnet (2) 3 (Currie 25, Cottee 27, Riza 60)
Cheltenham: Book, Griffin, Freeman, Banks, McCann, Duff, Yates, Howells, McAuley, Alsop, Grayson (White 75).
Barnet: Naisbitt, Stockley, Goodhind, Arber, Sawyers, Currie, Doolan, Niven, Toms, Riza, (Gledhill 67), Cottee (Purser 83).
Referee: M.J. North (Dorset)
Attendance: 3,599