United 2
(Hall 56′ pen, Goodwin 90+5′)
Derby 2
(Osula 28′, 47′)
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A nerve-tingling fightback saw United once again battle back from two goals down to secure an Emirates FA Cup 1st Round replay against League One Derby County.
Two Will Osula goals -either side of the interval – put the visitors into a commanding position, however, a converted Asa Hall, followed up by Will Goodwin’s last-gasp equaliser saw Gary Johnson’s men earn themselves another go at The Rams at Pride Park.
United boss Johnson named an unchanged starting eleven following Tuesday evening’s 6-1 league victory over Aldershot Town.
The hosts broke with a dangerous attack down the right in the 4th minute when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing drove forward, before squaring for Lewis Dobbin who could only fire over.
A crucial interception by Mark Halstead denied the visitors the lead on 16 minutes when a high ball was looped up for Osula to chase. Halstead was quick off of his line and out the box, and was almost midway inside the United half when he was able to get a touch to the ball, and clear the danger.
In the 28th minute it was the visitors who broke through. After breaking down the right flank, a low cross was chased down by Osula who was able to bundle home from close range, 0-1.
Gary Johnson’s men came close to levelling the scores on 36 minutes when a ball up and over the top by Stephen Wearne was looking for the run of an advancing Aaron Jarvis, but a Derby player just managed to get a touch on the ball, before Jarvis could get an effort away.
Three minutes before the interval, Derby went close to doubling the advantage when a dangerous cross was curled in by Korey Smith, but Dobbin’s header was flicked just over.
Minutes later down the other end United went close to levelling. After Goodwin battled down the right, the Stoke City loanee played a through-ball which was chased down by Tom Lapslie, with Derby’s number 1 Joe Wildsmith just able to get there first to gather.
There was action at both ends following the restart. In the first minute of the second half Wearne drove down the left wing before cutting in central, and steering his low-driven effort wide of the left-hand post.
Moments later however, League One Derby doubled the advantage. Osula drove into the left edge of the box before planting the ball into the bottom left corner, 0-2.
Johnson’s men had to react – and how they did.
In the 55th minute, Goodwin’s persistence saw him get in behind the County backline, however a tug of the shirt saw the striker hit the deck, and with Derby’s Eiran Cashin deemed to be the last man by the referee, his marching orders duly followed.
Up stepped Hall, who calmly drilled the ball into the back of the net to reduce the arrears.
Derby nearly responded with a third moments later. A glancing header by Craig Forsyth at the near-post was just wide, and after that, it was one-way traffic.
Just past the hour mark, Torquay’s skipper was at it again, as Wearne’s half-cleared corner saw Donnellan send in a delivery that Hall volleyed narrowly wide.
After Wearne sent a 25-yard free kick over the crossbar, the next chance fell saw substitute Dylan Crowe fire a dangerous ball across a packed goalmouth, evading Jarvis and De Silva by teh narrowest or margins.
Moments later, Donnellan sent a low drive inches past the post, as The Gulls continued to knock on the Derby door.
The heroes in yellow continued to plug away, but as the match ticked past the final of four additional minutes, it appeared a gutsy defeat may have been all Johnson’s side would be left to reflect on.
Then, with the final set-piece of the game, Gary Time intervened once more.
Wearne’s delivery wasn’t quite on the money, but after a tired clearance fell to Crowe 25 yards from goal, his deep cross caused just the kind of chaos required, and after Jarvis’ two bites of the cherry eventually saw the ball fall to Goodwin six yards out, his instinctive diversion saw the ball in the net, pandemonium ensue, and sealed parity at the death.
The referee restarted play – for all of four seconds – before signalling a replay at Pride Park.
Take a bow, players and supporters. You’ve earned another moment in the limelight.
United: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie, 8. Asa Hall (c), 9. Aaron Jarvis, 12. Stephen Wearne, 16. Shaun Donnellan, 19. Will Goodwin, 21. Dean Moxey (2. Dylan Crowe 34′), 26. Lucas Ness, 27. Dillon De Silva, 35. Mark Ellis.
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Ali Omar, 7. Ryan Hanson, 14. Brett McGavin, 22. Rhys Lovett, 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 30 Cameron Thompson.
Yellow Card: Ellis 90+2′
Derby: 1. Joe Wildsmith, 3. Craig Forsyth, 6. Eiran Cashin, 8. Max Bird (c), 9. James Collins, 11. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (19. Richard Stearman 58′), 12. Korey Smith, 15. Haydon Roberts, 17. Louie Sibley (4. Conor Hourihane 51′), 18. Lewis Dobbin, 23. Will Osula (16. Liam Thompson 76′).
SUBS NOT USED: 21. Scott Loach, 28. Ozzie Aghatise, 30. Kwaku Oduroh, 32. Jake Rooney.
Yellow Cards: Sibley 14′
Red Card: Cashin 55′
Attendance: 4,269 (643 away)