Dan Crowley's excellent finish proved meaningless as Salford City emerged victorious at Meadow Lane.
The midfielder had levelled things up following Conor McAleny's opener - the same man struck again late in the second half to earn his side the points.
Stuart Maynard recalled Sam Slocombe to his starting XI after leaving the goalkeeper out as a precaution at Bradford.
It would be Slocombe’s 400th career appearance – and he wasn’t the only one celebrating a big milestone, as Sam Austin got the nod to make his 300th.
With Aden Baldwin still suspended, the back three that helped us to a midweek clean sheet remained the same with Kyle Cameron flanked by Lewis Macari and Jaden Warner.
With Aaron Nemane missing out through illness, Adam Chicksen was given the nod on the left which meant Jodi Jones headed across to the right.
Scott Robertson continued in defensive midfield, Crowley and Austin once again playing behind the front duo of Macaulay Langstaff and Alassana Jatta.
The sides exchanged tentative early blows, with Jones seeing a near-post shot saved before Matt Smith snatched at a bouncing ball, sending it over the top.
Warner looped a header over and Jones sent another shot wide as we continued to have the better of it – but we found ourselves behind against the run of play on 31 minutes when McAleny pounced on a loose ball in midfield and weaved his way to the edge of the box before producing an excellent finish off the inside of the post.
O’Brien replaced Chicksen at half-time in a move which saw Austin play down the right, with Jones switching to the left.
And, within moments of the restart, Jones cut inside and curled a low shot narrowly wide.
We didn’t have to wait much longer to find the equaliser as Langstaff’s deflected cross dropped nicely for Crowley, who produced an excellent first touch and finish beyond Alex Cairns.
A big moment followed 10 minutes later as Callum Hendry appeared fortunate not to receive a second yellow card when he caught Slocombe late, leaving the keeper requiring treatment.
We continued to press forward and, after Langstaff had seen a dangerous shot diverted behind at the near post, McGoldrick replaced Jatta.
McAleny reminded us of his and his team’s threat on 76 minutes when he arrowed a shot narrowly wide, before a good opportunity passed O’Brien by when he failed to control his shot after the ball had bounced up for him in the box.
We came within inches of taking the lead on 84 minutes when Jones brilliantly escaped down the left and delivered a dangerous low ball into the middle. McGoldrick was unable to connect at the near post and the ball flashed across goal before being recycled to McGoldrick, who could only send his 20-yard effort wide.
And our missed opportunities were punished on 87 minutes when McAleny benefitted from a flick-on, entering our area and scoring his second of the game.
Shellshocked, things nearly got worse before the final whistle as Smith’s header drew a good save from Slocombe before McGoldrick’s loose pass left Slocombe stranded, with Callum Morton’s stretching effort sending the ball against the outside of the post and wide.
And, after Langstaff had been unable to beat the onrushing Cairns with an attempted lob at the death, the referee called time on another disappointing afternoon at the Lane.
STARTING XI: Slocombe; Macari, Cameron, Warner; Chicksen (O'Brien 46'), Jones; Robertson, Austin, Crowley, Jatta (McGoldrick 73'), Langstaff
SUBS: Ashby-Hammond, Brindley, Bostock, Randall, Colkett
ATTENDANCE: 9,967 (210)
