Torquay United 2 Exeter City 2

And for Torquay United, that was certainly the case as they produced a valiant fightback to grab a share of the spoils in their latest pre-season encounter against Devon rivals Exeter City.

For 75 minutes, the Grecians ruled the roost, having led from an early Josh Magennis strike and another from defender Jack Fitzwater.

However, Paul Wotton’s new-look Gulls dug deep into their reserves, hauling themselves back into contention with a late effort from Jordan Dyer and an injury time own goal from Fitzwater.

On a scorching night on the English Riviera, City certainly caught the Gulls cold, nabbing the lead inside 90 seconds as determined work from winger Yanic Wildschut saw him get the better of two home defenders, before feeding it into the path of Macgennis.

With work to do, the City striker’s initial effort was blocked on the line, but he was the quickest to react to the loose ball, smashing it past a flailing James Hamon in the home goal.

City were certainly the busier during the opening exchanges, dominating possession and probing down both flanks as they looked to build on their early advantage.

Torquay – who had made six changes to their starting line-up from Saturday’s 2-0 loss at home to Plymouth Argyle – did their best to respond, but far too often their passing either went awry or City’s high press left strikers Cody Cooke and Ben Seymour floundering behind the offside line.

It was clearly agitating Gulls boss Wotton, who was clearly demanding more from his new-look team. Try as they may, the hosts were still very much second best and chances were at a premium for them.

At the other end, Wildschut remained a constant threat down the left, whilst Reece Cole was growing more and more into the contest, demanding possession and looking to get City on the front foot at every opportunity.

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As half time approached, Austen Booth did well to deny Macgennis with a last-gasp cover tackle on the edge of the box, whilst a cross towards the back post just failed to find Fitzwater as he raced in.

City’s pressure was mounting though and they doubled their effort on 40 minutes, Fitzwater this time heading home at the back post from a Cole corner.

Two goals to the good, it could easily have been three just moments later, more determined work down the right from the visitors seeing the ball pulled back to Wildschut, who side-footed the ball into the bottom right corner.

Sadly for City, but thankfully for United, the linesman’s flag came to the rescue, the visitors denied for an offside in the build-up.

No doubt warmed by some stern words from Wotton at the interval, United re-emerged somewhat energised, quickly taking the game to their rivals in the early stages.

Substitute Omar Mussa threatened with a shot that was well gathered by Crystal Palace loanee Joe Whitworth in the City goal, but again that was all they could muster in their attack, which was sadly lacking any real impetus.

Fitzwater came close to doubling his tally, again latching onto a corner at the back post, but this time his effort lacked direction and sailed high and wide into the City contingent behind the goal.

Although both sides took the opportunity to run their benches, it was City who continued to look the more dangerous, Magennis this time releasing Tom Dean down the right, only for his low cross to be cleared in the nick of time by Jordan Dyer as a clutch of team-mates came hurtling into the box.

To their credit, United – spurred on by another bumper Plainmoor crowd – refused to go quietly and with eight minutes remaining their efforts were rewarded when Dyer, this time at the other end, found the net against his former club .

The goal ignited not only the home faithful, but also the Gulls themselves as they then launched a dangerous counter through Brad Ash, who as he tore down on the City goal was cynically halted by Charlie Cummins, who saw yellow for his actions.

It was certainly a spirited conclusion to the match from the Gulls, but they weren’t finished there. Instead, they threw caution to the wind, launching a plethora of late attacks, the last of which saw them snatch a dramatic equaliser when Fitzwater put into his own net.

Plainmoor erupted into a wall of noise, the Yellow Army celebrating the unlikeliest of comebacks. For City, however, it was late heartache and boy did the Torquay fans let them know.

Roll on the new season!

Torquay United: James Hamon (Matt Wonnacott 78), Austen Booth (Jordan Dyer h/t), Lirak Hasani, Roddy Collins (capt, Oscar Threlkeld 52), Ben Seymour (Brad Ash 69), Matt Carson, Ed Palmer (Sean Dreyer h/t), Finn Tonks, Cody Cooke (Jaydn Crosbie 79), Dan Hayfield (Omar Mussa h/t), Dean Moxey (Jay Foulston h/t). Substitutes (not used): Ollie Tomlinson, Jacob Wellington.
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Goal: Dyer 82, Fitzwater OG 90+5

Exeter City: Joe Whitworth (Shaun MacDonald 72); Caleb Watts, Cheick Diabate (Johnly Yfeko h/t), Jack Fitzwater, Charlie Cummins, Yanic Wildschut (Tom Dean 65), Jack McMillan (Harry Crees 78), Ed Francis, Jack Aitchison (Santino Ohanaka 65), Reece Cole (Liam Oakes 65), Josh Magennis. Substitute (not used): David Perkins

‍Goal: Macgennis 2, Fitzwater 40

Yellow Card: Cummins

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