Chesterfield 2
(Tshimanga 59’, 73′)
United 2
(Little 88′, Lapslie 90+5′)
A heroic last-gasp fightback from Gary Johnson’s side saw United secure a dramatic 2-2 draw at Chesterfield on Saturday evening.
After dealing so well with everything the league leaders could throw at them for the first hour, it was Chesterfield striker Kabongo Tshimanga who looked to have turned the game in his side’s favour with two second-half efforts, however just as time was running out, the returning Armani Little struck to give his side late hope, before Tom Lapslie bundled home an even-later leveller to send the travelling Yellow Army into delirium.
Boss Gary Johnson made one change to the team that beat Southend last time out, with Little making a welcome return from injury to replace Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in The Gulls’ engine room.
With United giving a debut to their new third kit in the Derbyshire evening sun, the men in black & white stripes started well, enjoying the bulk of the early possession, before the hosts began to impose themselves ten minutes in, as Stefan Payne saw two 18-yard shots deflected behind in quick succession.
Whilst The Spireites began to gain some territorial advantage, Torquay’s backline remained resolute, with Shaun MacDonald untroubled until the 23rd minute, when George Carline’s cross into the box picked out Payne again, however his header was straight at The Gulls’ keeper.
Chances remained at a premium during the first half-hour, with Johnson’s men just unable to reward their hard work with much in the way of clear-cut chances in the final third.
With the game heading towards the interval, both sides traded punches late on, in a bid to find the opener.
On 44 minutes, a brief moment of indecision saw Chesterfield dangerman Payne found time and space to drive towards United’s goal, however just as MacDonald was preparing himself to be tested, Ben Wynter came up with a marvellous block to divert the ball wide of the post.
Then, moments later, Klaidi Lolos went even closer for The Gulls. With a high bouncing ball not being dealt with by the Chesterfield defenders, the Torquay man took matters into his own hands, seizing on the opportunity by riding a challenge, before seeing his six-yard shot parried by home stopper Scott Loach, who then preceded to do the same with Lolos’ follow-up effort.
All square as the two teams headed for the tunnel, with the watching BT Sport audience no doubt hoping for a second-half breakthrough.
Their requests were nearly answered two minutes into the second half, with the chance again falling to The Gulls’ Greek-born striker.
With the hosts in retreat, United found space down the left through Little, who sent in a right-footed cross that was just behind Lolos at the near post. However, after bringing the ball under his control, a firm volley required the urgent attentions of a Chesterfield defender, whose point-blank interception maintained the status-quo.
Unfortunately when the deadlock was finally broken just short of the hour-mark, it fell the way of the home side.
A swift break from Calvin Miller saw the Spireites left-back find enough room to send in a low cross that MacDonald did well to parry, however the loose ball fell straight to Tshimanga, who gleefully buried the ball into the net from six yards out.
Far from going into their shells though, Johnson’s men nearly came up with an instant response.
After exchanging passes with Little on the edge of the box, O’Connell found himself unmarked twelve yards from goal, however his low effort was unfortunately steered wide of Loach’s near upright, leaving the Yellow Army with heads-in-hands aplenty behind the goal.
Still United pushed on, however just as an equaliser looked distinct possibility, they were hit with a sucker-punch.
Just as with the first goal, a left-wing cross again saw MacDonald again called into urgent action, and although he again gave his side a reprieve, Tshimanga was again on hand to gobble up the opportunity and make it 2-0.
To their credit, Johnson’s charges continued to press in search of a pathway back into the match, with a promising spell of possession seeing substitute Alex Addai sending in a dangerous ball towards the back stick, before being worked back into the path of Asa Hall on the edge of the area, with the skipper’s goalbound effort blocked at source.
Fellow replacement Dan Holman then tried his luck at reducing the deficit with four minutes remaining, picking up the ball fifteen yards out, however his opportunist strike was too close to Loach, who gathered the ball with relative ease.
With two minutes left on the clock, Little threw his team a lifeline.
Holman, just outside the area, did remarkably well to hold off a challenge before threading the ball into Little, who cut inside before firing low past Loach to set up a grandstand finale.
Twice in the final five minutes of stoppage time Danny Wright threatened to salvaging his side a point, first with a low strike that was straight at the Chesterfield glovesman, and then with a towering header from Holman’s right-wing cross, however when Loach rose to grab the ball, with it, seemed to go United’s hopes of salvation.
You write the Gaffer’s side off at their peril though, and with almost the last kick of the game, Torquay grabbed a share of the spoils.
Having spent the final few moments camped inside the opposition half, there were rampant appeals for a penalty as Curtis Weston appeared to handle O’Connell’s left-wing cross, however despite the appeals falling on deaf ears, The Gulls were rewarded from the resultant corner.
With Little putting the ball right where it needed to be – bang on the penalty spot – Lapslie inadvertedly diverted the ball into the net via the boot of Weston, who could only hook the ball high into the net… 2-2.
The Yellow Army were well placed to celebrate that equaliser, and they made the most of the opportunity laid before them, as the final moments failed to amount to anything of note.
Having grabbed a well-deserved point at the death on the road, next weekend will see Johnson’s men to home comforts, as United take on Wealdstone at Plainmoor. Tickets are available online here NOW.
United supporters will be hoping for similar entertainment next Saturday, however one thing is certain… it’s never over, until it’s over!
Chesterfield: 1. Scott Loach, 2. George Carline, 3. Calvin Miller (29. Alex Whittle, 90′) 5. Gavin Gunning (c), 6. Laurence Maguire, 8. Curtis Weston, 10. Liam Mandeville (28. Saidou Khan, 68′), 17. Jak McCourt, 19. Kabongo Tshimanga, 23. Stefan Payne (7. Danny Rowe, 76′), 32. Fraser Kerr.
SUBS NOT USED: 20. Jeff King, 22. Jamie Grimes.
Yellow Cards: Carline, 62′
TUFC: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 8. Asa Hall (c), 9. Danny Wright, 10. Armani Little, 14. Chiori Johnson (24. Alex Addai, 75′), 16. Keelan O’Connell, 17. Gabby Rogers (4. Tom Lapslie, 60′), 19. Klaidi Lolos (30. Dan Holman 60′), 21. Dean Moxey, 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Ali Omar, 23. Marcin Brzozowski (GK).
Yellow Cards: Johnson, 56′
Attendance: 5,127