Rovers were seconds away from ending their three-match losing run when Shelton headed home six minutes into added time.

Barnet almost scored inside the opening minute when a corner broke to Nnamdi Ofoborh outside the box, but his powerful effort flashed inches wide.

Tranmere threatened in the 16th minute as Charlie Whitaker surged past the Barnet defence but his effort drifted wide.

Four minutes later, Ofoborh produced a vital tackle inside the box to deny Dylan Jones before Connor Jennings’ resulting corner was cleared off the line.

Moments later, Jennings sustained an awkward injury and received treatment on the pitch before eventually being carried off on a stretchered and replaced by Joe Ironside.

In the closing stages, Barnet’s Adam Senior unleashed a powerful effort that was parried away by Joe Murphy, before Shelton’s follow-up was gathered comfortably by the Tranmere goalkeeper.

But as Tranmere were closing in on a first point since New Year’s Day, Dean Brennan’s side snatched victory as Shelton’s last-gasp header beat Joe Murphy.