Torquay goalkeeper Lucas Covolan scored a dramatic late equaliser to keep his side in the National League play-off final at Ashton Gate and saved two penalties in the shoot-out – but it wasn’t enough to prevent Hartlepool returning to League Two.
Covolan headed home a deep long ball four minutes into stoppage time in the second half, beating his opposite number to the ball and sending the Gulls fans wild.
In scenes reminiscent of Liverpool’s Alisson scoring against West Brom in the Premier League last month, Covolan had gone forward in a last-ditch search for a goal.
The Brazilian – who moved to the UK to join Whitehawk before enjoying spells at Lewes FC and Worthing – rose to make contact on his charge into the box and head into an empty net.
Liverpool themselves were quick to notice the goal and posted a video on their own Twitter feed of Alisson scoring against West Brom, with the caption: “Trendsetter”.
Torquay had been trailing 1-0 to Hartlepool in the battle to earn promotion to League Two and end a seven-year wait to return to the Football League.
But while the leveller forced the fixture into 30 minutes of extra time and eventually penalties, Covolan’s luck eventually ran out.
The keeper saved the first two Hartlepool spot kicks at a raucous Ashton Gate but saw his team-mates squander their chances to take a lead in the shoot-out.
Matt Buse eventually stepped up for Gary Johnson’s side needing to convert in sudden death but his shot clattered off the goalkeeper and crossbar to deny Torquay – and Covolan – a dream finish to a remarkable afternoon.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3zG28Da
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