Torquay United gave away a two goal advantage in the last twenty minutes to fall at the semi-final stage of the Blue Square Premier Play-Offs and leave Exeter City to battle it out at Wembley on the 18th May.
Shock is probably the emotion that most Gulls supporters are feeling right now. A match in which Exeter were struggling to find a path through the United defence was suddenly turned on it's head in a crazy last 18 minutes of the match. The fact that Kevin Hill equalled the appearance record for The Gulls today and scored a cracking goal will not be enough just yet to soften the blow of losing out from such a strong position.
Lee Phillips was replaced by Hilly in the starting line-up and it was clear soon into the match that both sides were happy just to test the water without diving in and chances were few and far between. In the 4th minute Lee Mansell made an uncharacteristic mistake trying to clear a high ball and from the resultant play Chris Robertson did very well to head the ball clear for a corner. Both sides were relying on set piece attacking positions rather than pushing too many men forward in open play and Seaborne headed wide for the visitors from a Gill free-kick and Lee Mansell cleared off the line superbly from a Taylor header as Exeter tried to pull back the one goal deficit.
As the half wore on the tackling became more aggressive and both Tully and Edwards were booked by the referee for tackles on Hill and Sills respectively. United were looking comfortable enough without creating anything too clear cut at the other end and the half-time whistle was greeted by both sets of supporters thinking job done so far.
The second half was never going to be as tight and disciplined as the first and something was have to give if Exeter were going to get themselves back in the tie. Rob Edwards shot just wide of Simon Rayner's left hand post on 46 minutes and four minutes later Lee Mansell was booked for a tackle on Friend. The best chance of the match came in the 52nd minute when Chris Hargreaves found some space on the left hand side of City's area and his shot was deflected to Tim Sills whose sidefoot shot was gathered by Jones at the second attempt.
If a script could have been written for today's game it would have included a chapter on exactly what did actually happened in the 59th minute; Tim Sills produced a fine run down the right wing and eventually slipped the ball inside to Chris Zebroski on the edge of the City area, Zebroski neatly dummied the ball before squaring it to an unmarked Kevin Hill who, on the occasion of his record equalling 473rd appearance for United, blasted the ball past Jones high into the left hand corner and send Plainmoor wild.
Wembley was in sight and for a few minutes Exeter seemed to wobble but the introduction of substitutes was to have a huge influence on the match. With 21 minutes to go Harley hit a shot from the edge of the United penalty box which beat Rayner and gave City some hope of what still seemed like a relatively unlikely comeback. The next twenty minutes almost passed in a blur. It is what makes football the game it is; pulsating, dramatic, unbelievable and at times cruel.
United had started to drop back, almost unnoticeable but it was enough to give Exeter the encouragement they needed. Ten minutes were left on the clock when the turning point of the match came; a ball through the middle was challenged for by the United defence but the ball fell loose and Simon Rayner was adjudged to have fouled Logan and a penalty was awarded. Substitute Watson stepped up and duly put the kick away to level the semi-final.
Just five minutes to go and Chris Zebroski has a shot that flew over from a tight angle but just as extra time loomed the unbelievable happened; Carlisle found himself wide on the Exeter right and his cross was met by Logan who headed past Rayner and shock Plainmoor. United still had time to mount a reply and a good attacking position was found when a free-kick was awarded to The Gulls with seconds remaining but for some reason instead of loading the area and sending one 'last hurrah' ball into the City area but for some reason a quick kick was taken and the ball given away, Watson was released down the right and he centred for Carlisle to wrap things up.
Whatever you think of the play-offs, no-one can deny they are dramatic. There will be some tears shed, inside and outside of the changing room, but the Club is in a strong position both on and off the pitch and when the emotions have settled and an F.A. Trophy Final has been played this season will be long remembered.
