Grimsby Town staged a fantastic second-half comeback to snatch all three points but defeat was harsh on The Shots.
Deservedly two goals ahead at the break, with one of Aldershot Town’s best 45 minutes of the season, The Mariners soon roared back with three goals in 14 minutes, only for Rhys Browne to equalise almost immediately and the cruel denouement to come from Jon Nolan in the 87th minute, as his cross-shot flew into the top corner.
Yet it had all started so impressively for The Shots, with an opening full of enterprise, energy and craft. Both sides forced several corners in the first few minutes, but they yielded only half chances until Disley fouled Rhys Browne on a typically dynamic break through midfield.
Charlie Walker took charge of the free-kick, 30 yards out, and via what appeared a slight deflection off Josh Gowling in the Grimsby wall, the ball flew past a wrong-footed McKeown and into the net.
The hosts were closing down Grimsby with impressive tenacity and, two minutes after Rasulo had scooped a shot over the bar, he grabbed his first goal for The Shots. Stevenson did well in midfield and Walker’s low drive became the perfect through-ball for Rasulo to fire past McKeown from close range.
Aldershot Town were buoyant, but the introduction of Omar Bogle at the start of the second-half changed the game. Within three minutes, Smith had to make a fine save to claw away his header, and on 53 minutes his deft cross allowed Amond to head in from eight yards.
It was 2-2 on 57 minutes, as Bogle made an angled run to the near-post to meet Arnold’s cross and glance in the equaliser.
Stevenson and Browne both went close with long-range efforts but Grimsby were ahead for the first time on 67 minutes. Nolan whipped in a free-kick from the right which flew over everybody at the far-post, including a stranded Phil Smith, until Arnold drove in a shot from a tight angle.
Within seconds, though, Rhys Browne made it 3-3, traversing the pitch to make space for himself to shoot back across goal and beyond McKeown’s dive.
The Shots seemed set to take something from the game until the 88th minute, as Nolan scooped up a left-wing cross with the outside of his foot which initially appeared speculative until it dropped over Smith into the top corner of the net.
It was a cruel ending, but still Aldershot Town could be proud of their efforts against the promotion-challenging Mariners.
ATFC: Smith; Alexander, Beckles, Saville (Richards 66 (Pavey 89)), McGinty; Rasulo, Stevenson, Gallagher, Browne; C Walker, Lafayette. Subs not used: Thomas, Hatton, McGrory
Att.: 1397 (inc 264 away)
