For many Torquay United who witnessed their first win of the 2021-22 season against Maidenhead United, there will be shades of their final day victory over Barnet in the 2000-01 campaign.
On that occasion the Gulls raced into a three-goal lead, thanks to efforts from Jason Rees, Kevin Hill and David Graham, before clinging on to a 3-2 win in the end to retain their Football League status.
While the stakes may not have been as high against Maidenhead they were also playing on a sloping pitch. The Magpies' York Road home is one of the few grounds in the National League to possess a slope, just as Barnet's Underhill - the Bees have since moved to The Hive - was one of the few in the Third Division in the 2000-01 season with a lob-sided pitch.
A brace from midfielder Armani Little set United on their way before skipper Asa Hall, who has now shed his ponytail, added a third in the 44th minute. Then in first half injury time, Welsh midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans gave the Gulls a four-goal cushion.
However, those observers who thought a 4-0 deficit would be too big a mountain to climb for the Magpies had that belief put to the test when Maidenhead netted twice in the opening ten minutes after the restart. Remy Clerima lobbed Torquay keeper Mark Halstead in the 49th minute before Magpies skipper Alan Massey found the target on 54 minutes.
Then in the 66th minute, Emile Acquah brought Maidenhead within one goal of levelling matters, but the Gulls held on to win 4-3. Nevertheless, Torquay could have had a fifth shortly after Acquah's strike as striker Dan Holman hit the cross bar in what was a topsy turvy contest in the truest sense of the phrase.
Footnote: It wasn't the first time that the Gulls had found themselves four goals ahead at half time against Maidenhead. On October 3, 2017, United raced into a four-goal lead at Plainmoor against Maidenhead in a game that was delayed because the Magpies' team coach was stuck in traffic. However, on that occasion, the Gulls successfully managed to see out the second half comfortably to win 4-0.
