From a nightmare to dreamland, all in the space of 90 minutes, the Bristol Rovers experience really is quite something.
It was an afternoon that threatened to spark the meltdown of all meltdowns with Rovers' place in the League Two play-offs slipping from their grasp, but by the end, Gasheads had experienced something they will not easily forget. And for the right reasons, as Aaron Collins channelled his inner Jamie Cureton to conjure a poacher's hat-trick that sealed a 4-3 win in the most dramatic fashion.
The cumulative distance of Collins' treble cannot be more than 18 yards, but those three goals have certainly taken Joey Barton's Gas a long way nearer to their promotion dreams. At 2-0 and 3-1 down, and with results briefly going against them elsewhere, Rovers' top-seven berth was in serious doubt, but now – for a week at least – they are in a position with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Barton – hoisted into the air by delirious supporters at the end – described the game as a microcosm of Rovers' season. These 90 minutes were indeed an apt summary of Rovers' season: A terrible start, a false dawn before further pain, followed by euphoria.
Luke Charman struck twice inside 17 minutes to give Rovers an almighty fright, but fears were reduced by Sam Finley's neat finish shortly after half time. The Gas had the momentum in their favour, but more horror awaited them as Corey O'Keefe restored Dale's commanding lead with half an hour to play.
The Gas have not tasted defeat in more than a month and their ascent towards the top end of the table has largely been unhindered. This was perhaps their biggest gut check of the season and their stomach for the fight was on display again. In typically bonkers fashion, Collins reeled off three goals to snap an eight-game drought and steal Port Vale's crown for best away day after less than a fortnight.
Whiplash was a side effect as every supporter at Spotland turned to the assistant fearing the offside flag would deny victory. It never came. Cue the pandemonium. Imagine what the scenes are going to be like if they actually get promoted.
Bold calls yield mixed results
The end was so sweet, but the start was brutally sour. Hopes that Rochdale would be off the pace and thinking of sunnier climbs were rubbished pretty quickly. Charman twice escaped the attentions of the defence, once to receive a through ball and slot into the net, and later to turn home O'Keefe's cross unmarked at the back post.
This game was a must-not-lose more than a must-win for Rovers, with the four points to clinch a play-off place the first priority before thinking of the automatics. But they could have hardly timed their first dismal half in months at a worse time.
In attack, good positions were being wasted and Rochdale looked as if they could score with every counter. Time after time, balls were collected by Rochdale men between the lines and they were allowed free runs at the Gas back four.
Barton would later accept blame, admitting he had made a mistake to rush Josh Grant back from injury. He is Barton's "favourite" player in the squad, but he was minded to give him the hook before the half was over.
One bold call had failed, but Barton did not stop rolling the dice. His substitutions were wholly aggressive throughout, swapping defenders Grant, Connor Taylor and Luca Hoole for forwards Luke Thomas, Ryan Loft and Sam Nicholson.
Results started turning back in Rovers' favour elsewhere with Bradford City pulling clear at Sutton United, and Barton was aware thanks to Andy Mangan's score updates from the bench, but the manager doubled down. His changes saw Coutts drop in at centre-half and by the end the Gas had Harry Anderson and Nicholson as their full-backs.
After everything that happened on a bonkers afternoon, 3-3 felt as good as a win but the Gas were straight back in their shape and ready to go seconds after equalising. Parity did not deter their desperation and the reward was a moment that will long be remembered, Collins completing the comeback with an instinctive finish after Elliot Anderson kept the ball alive.
To an extent, with a place in the top seven in their grasp, although not secure, going into the final day thanks to Sutton's defeat, Rovers were playing with house money but because they continued to gamble after the equaliser, believing in their hand, they have the cards in their favour on the final day. Play-offs are assured and automatic promotion can still be secured.
A big blow but Rovers have a backup plan
With the good news comes some bad news, with captain Paul Coutts set to miss the rest of the season. He was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball clash deep into stoppage time with Rovers ahead.
As it is his second red card of the season – the first came at Mansfield Town on the opening day – Coutts will receive a four-match suspension, ruling him out against Scunthorpe United next Saturday and of all three possible play-off games.
Coutts' season has been bookended by red cards for violent conduct and it is a big problem for Rovers that he will not feature again this term. He was excellent in the second half, with raking balls to Elliot Anderson crucial in stretching and penetrating the Rochdale defence. Those pinpoint passes may not have directly led to a goal, but getting Anderson on the ball forced Dale deeper and widened other avenues of attack.
Undoubtedly, the disappointment for Coutts will be huge. He is the leader of this team on and off the pitch and not only will he be sorely missed but he will be pained to watch from the sidelines.
Rovers are equipped to cope, though. Glenn Whelan is close to an ideal replacement. His legs may have a few more miles on the clock than Coutts', but his experience and nous at the base of midfield should see Rovers through.
The biggest difference
Much has changed at Rovers in the past 12 months. This is a club that bears little resemblance to the side relegated so meekly from League One, both in playing and off-field staff. Barton is one of the few constants and he is edging closer to righting the wrongs of last season.
Of all the differences between this team and that, sheer belief has to be the biggest. There was a time when going a goal down spelt certain defeat, but this group has grown into an entirely different beast.
Time and again, they have performed rescue acts. This was not the first time they had come from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at the death, inflicting the same treatment to Oxford United in the FA Cup. That night gave a glimpse of the deep reserves of character and courage in Rovers' squad and Saturday was yet another memorable comeback.
A good team wins without playing well, but that is impossible without belief. Rovers have it in abundance to the point that even in the midst of their worst performance for months with big players off their game, they could at no point be discounted.
On cue, they dug deep. Harry Anderson and Antony Evans, for example, have had many, many better games in the quarters than this but they still made decisive contributions and showed up in the biggest moments.
That the comeback always felt possible did not take away from how remarkable it was. Every goal was perfectly imperfect, summing up this team. Finley finished smartly after Evans' bundled his way through challenges and into position. Evans then produced a high-class assist soon after Rovers had allowed Dale to restore their cushion. The third involved a missed flick and the winner stemmed from a pulled shot and a goalmouth scramble.
League Two may have more cohesive and fluid teams, but none can be more persistent, dogged and ladened with individual talent capable of producing at any moment than the Gas.
No surprise at all
Finley has been a pivotal player for Rovers this season but he received deserved criticism for a poor performance against Forest Green last week. The player would later admit on local radio that he, too, was unhappy with his performance.
But if one player typifies the spirit and sheer will to win in Rovers' squad, it's Finley. He was back on form at Spotland, heading down the tunnel at half time as one of few players who could be content with their individual contribution in the first half.
In the second, he continued as the driving force, moving the ball efficiently to help break down Rochdale's defences, and it was Finley's goal that got the Gas back in the game shortly after the resumption.
The 29-year-old finished the afternoon wearing the armband, a role he is suited to. He is one of many players who could captain this side and it should be no surprise at all that he responded to one of his poorer performances with a huge contribution next time out.
Relaxed bank holiday
Rovers are in a privileged position going into next week, massively reducing the jeopardy they could have faced by miraculously booking their play-off place on Saturday. With Port Vale vs Newport and Mansfield's trip to Salford both to be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Monday, Rovers' can watch along with interest and without too much anxiety.
Wins for the Exiles and Ammies would be well received in and around BS7, of course. Dropped points for either Vale or Mansfield would make it a straight shootout between Northampton and the Gas for the final place in the top three on the last day.
SIGN UP: For our newsletter to receive more exclusive Bristol Rovers content
