Cooke does it again for Torquay United

Seven days after emerging from the bench to secure three valuable points at home to Bath City, Cody Cooke repeated the trick in even more dramatic fashion at struggling Aveley.

For long periods, United were frustrated by a home side who knew defeat would condemn them to relegation, and ten-man Aveley were just minutes away from a stay of execution when Cooke popped up with the decisive moment on a tense afternoon.

Results elsewhere left the Gulls three points behind leaders Worthing and level with Dorking and Truro, as this crazily close division continues to deliver in an incredibly close promotion scrap.

There was little to shout about in the early exchanges, Aveley asking a mild question when a long throw from Harry Beadle was glanced narrowly over by Brooklyn Kabongolo. United instantly replied with a vicious cross from Matt Jay that was steered wide by Ozzy Zanzala.

The Gulls were the side in general control, without posing a huge threat to the Aveley defence, and the Millers almost punished on the counter, David Kawa executing an inch-perfect cutback for the arriving Alfie Lewis, who possibly should have done better than a shot guided wide of the post.

A corner from Jordan Young picked out the rising Sam Dreyer for a header cleared off the line by a home defender before Aveley came back with another decent effort that flew inches over.

United’s best chance of the half came on 40 minutes, when an inviting cross from Jay Foulston picked out Will Jenkins Davies but massive plaudits to Aveley goalkeeper James Holden, who kept the scores blank with an outstanding reflex save.

The Gulls restarted with a decent tempo, forcing Kabongolo into a fine defensive header under severe pressure, prompting United manager Paul Wotton to call on the reinforcements of Omar Mussa and Cooke.

Smart work from James Hamon thwarted a mild home threat before United were given a massive boost by the dismissal of Jack McDowell for a second yellow card, with Aveley becoming increasingly frustrated with some of the decisions against them.

Despite the numerical advantage, United took a while in adjusting to their new challenge. Aveley were now in the last-chance saloon to save their season and Holden kept hopes alive with another fine save to deny Cooke.

Young had a shot fizzed over the bar, Mussa was only denied a shooting chance by a top recovery tackle and Jay had an effort cleared off the line, as United cranked up the pressure.

The big moment finally arrived on 87 minutes, when a lovely pass from Jay released Cooke, who fired a low shot beyond the advancing Holden to seal another crucial three points, breaking home hearts in the process.