Worthing 2
(Partington 15′, Nash 38′)
United 2
(Young 20′, Cooke pen 90+2′)
A late leveller saw United secure a share of the points in Sussex on Tuesday evening, as they twice came from behind to draw with Worthing.
After first half goals from Joe Partington and Liam Nash cancelled out Jordan Young’s leveller, it looked like time would eventually rob United of a deserved point, until Cody Cooke’s penalty restored parity at the death.
Paul Wotton made two changes to The Gulls side that triumphed 2-0 at home to Eastbourne three days ago, with Oscar Threlkeld and Dylan Morgan recalled to the starting line-up at the expense of Dan Hayfield and Matt Jay respectively.
After both sides created half-chances in a bid to find the opener, Worthing broke the deadlock on 15 minutes, as a corner picked out the rising Partington at the near-post, with his powerful header finding the back of the net.
United were level just five minutes later though, and they did it in some style.
Young, whose spectacular free-kick brought some brief cheer in Torquay’s FA Trophy defeat last month, surpassed that effort with another sublime set-piece, as his left-footer was whipped over the wall and into the back of the net – leaving home goalkeeper Chris Haigh.
Parity lasted less than twenty minutes though, as Danny Cashman’s cross found Nash at the back post, with his header seeing his side into the break with a 2-1 lead.
The second half was a largely even affair, however as the game wore on, United created more and more opportunities, whilst Worthing’s balls over the top provided a constant reminder of the home team’s threat going forward.
There was even more drama as the game entered the latter stages, as both sides exchanged straight red cards.
First, Sam Beard received his marching orders for a rash challenge on Jordan Thomas, before Sam Dreyer also saw red following a tangle with Temi Babalola.
If anyone thought the chance had gone for Torquay, they were to be sorely mistaken.
Jay and Cooke both went within inches of levelling things up, until an injury time foray into the box from the latter saw his run ended abruptly, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot.
United’s leading marksman picked himself up and slammed the ball past Haigh, who guessed correctly, but couldn’t keep the ball out.
An excellent point on the road, and further proof of United’s credentials to last the distance in this intriguing National League South promotion race.
WORTHING: 1. Chris Haigh, 2. Joel Colbran (c), 3. Sam Beard, 5. Joe Cook, Joe Partington, 8. Jack Spong (26. Odei Martin Sorondo, 90+1′), 9. Mo Faal (14. Temi Babalola, 65′), 10. Danny Cashman (7. Tommy Willard,65′), 11. Nicky Wheeler (25. Reuben Carvalho, 62′), 15. Glen Rea, 27. Liam Nash (21. Sam Packham, 76′).
Yellow Card: Nash 30′
Red Card: Beard 75′
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 2. Finley Craske, 5. Sam Dreyer (c), 7. Lirak Hasani, 8. Jordan Young (27. Matt Jay, 54′), 14. Matt Carson (21. Dean Moxey, 83′), 16. Ed Palmer (20. Dan Hayfield, 76′), 18. Oscar Threlkeld, 19. Cody Cooke, 26. Jordan Thomas, 29. Dylan Morgan (10. Omar Mussa, 57′).
SUBS NOT USED: 24. Jacob Wellington.
Yellow Card: Carson 30′, Hasani 49′
Red Card: Dreyer 79′
Attendance: 1,693