Three first half goals were not enough to give United a win over Torquay tonight. Strikes from Eddie Hutchinson and a brace from Yemi Odubade had given United a comfortable cushion at the break but goals from Welsh and Zebroski meant a second half you'd have been better off watching from behind a cushion, and a killer third in the last minute from Tim Sills saw United throw away yet another lead.
United started very well playing with conviction and aggression, cheered on by the fans, who had decided to back them in their hour of need. Odubade headed over on three minutes but Torquay boss Paul Buckle has stated all season that he will go for the kill in every match, and Torquay were prepared to throw men forward and attack United, so often a rarity from the away side at the Kassam Stadium this season. Turley saved well from Phillips on seven minutes,and Chris Todd should have at least hit the target on ten minutes but blasted into the stands instead.
The Gulls had started to push United back, but there was a determination about the Yellows, and on fifteen minutes they took the lead with a well worked set piece. Shaw was fouled 25 yards out giving Jeannin a free kick level with th right edge of the box. The French full back found the perfect delivery and floated the ball into the area, where the balding pate of Hutchinson connected perfectly to guide the ball past keeper Rayner.
It wasa great start, and three minutes late it got twice as sweet as United doubled their lead. A long ball forward found Shaw, who battled with the last defender and got a vital touch to knock the ball into the path of Odubade. Yemi took one touch, looked up, and curled a superb effort into the corner of the net with his left peg. A fifth goal of the season and now top scorer.
With Phil Gilchrist and Chris Willmott playing like they'd never been away at the heart of the defence and Luke Foster settling in well at right wing back United were full of experience and power at the back, and try as Torquay might they were unable to get a clear sight at goal. Right on the break Hargreaves poked a shot into Turley's midriff, but other than that United were containing their visitors and comfortably protecting that two goal cushion, and when they scored a third right on the break it was game over.
A long throw into the United box was cleared to Phil Trainer who thumped it long for Odubade, one on one with veteran Tony Bedeau. Bedeau was once a flying machine, but suddenly had his worst nightmare coming at him. Odubade gained ten yards on him, outmuscled him and raced away. Rayner was stranded and the striker confidently sent the ball past him and into the net for a fantastic third goal.
A standing ovation at the break, and the PA systemplayed ' All Together Now' and 'That's Entertainment'. Oh how we were enjoying ourselves, little suspecting what was to follow.
The second half started with a magnificent save by Turley from Sills, the keeper twisting in midair to palm away the former United striker's volley, and a header just wide from Zebroski on 52 minutes. The team doing the attacking wasn't taking its chances, but for once it was the opposition, a situation we much prefer.
It had to count eventually though and on 57 Torquay got one back. Sills dummied, Hargreaves went in with a typically committed challenge on Turley, and the ball squirmed annoyingly out to Ishmael Welsh who had the simple task of rolling the ball into the gaping net..
The magnificent supporters took a deep gulp of air, then redoubled their effort and backed their team that bit more once again. A mention for the 361 superb away fans as well because they sang and sang and sang as their team slowly pushed United's defence deeper and deeper. Turley was the busier keeper, punching away any number of dangerous crosses, and the half time smiles had gone from the home supporters because it's hard to smile when your fingernails are in between your teeth.
United were still looking for chances up front, and Torquay's defence never had an easy time, but it was the destructive qualities of Hutchinson, Willmott and Gilchrist that were catching the eye as much as the fleet footed running of Odubade. A second goal was on the cards, and on 78 it inevitably came from one of the four former United players on display. A long punt down the right drifted over Jeannin and fell nicely for the pacey Zebroski. Zebroski charged forward, twisted past Willmott then calmly planted the ball past Turley to make it 3-2 and set up the longest twelve minutes you have ever seen.
United tried to keep the ball as far from goal possible, Torquay threw men forward as the U's visibly tired , and somehow the seconds ticked s l o w l y a w a y.
Young Jordan Rhodes was given a debut and looked good, but the tide was going against the U's and when Torquay broke away in the 90th minute there was only one place the cross was going: right on to Sills' head for an equaliser that left everyone stunned.
Agony.
Report: Chris Williams. Stats by PA Sports
Att: 4,633
Away: 361
