Last-gasp leveller denies Torquay United victory

Torquay United came within seconds of a fairytale victory at Slough Town in the National League South, only to be denied by a dramatic equaliser for their hosts.

Jordan Young was on target again, having scored in the 1-1 draw at St Albans, to give United an early lead, but Slough fought back to draw level through John Goddard, setting up the grandstand finish.

At the tender age of 39, Dean Moxey emerged from the United bench and looked to have secured a stunning victory with his first goal of the season, but there was one more painful twist, as Dan Bayliss headed the goal to deny a Gulls legend his special moment.

United made the stronger start on another chilly evening, Omar Mussa posing problems after being handed a start following his impressive showing as a sub at St Albans.

The early pressure was rewarded with a goal on 12 minutes, with Young pouncing on a defensive lapse to score a deserved opener. Cody Cooke came close to doubling the lead midway through the first period, but he was thwarted by a smart save from Charlie Horlock.

Sam Dreyer then headed wide for the Gulls, who were in control of the game, with Young fizzing a sweet strike narrowly over to close an encouraging first period.

Slough regrouped at the interval and signalled their intent with a Bayliss header glanced wide, and they were on level terms on the hour, Goddard lashing home the loose ball after an initial effort from Slavi Spasov had fallen into his path.

Both teams set about a frantic pursuit of the winner, Spasov had an effort deflected over before a wicked Young cross almost picked out the run of Ed Palmer.

Time was ticking down when Moxey’s moment arrived. The aerial power of Palmer was the catalyst, rising highest to flick a looping cross into the path of United’s player-coach, who emphatically smashed the ball past an exposed Horlock.

Joy and jubilation for the Yellow Army soon turned to tension, as Slough pumped the ball forward in a desperate search for an equaliser, and they found it via the head of Bayliss in the sixth minute of stoppage time.