Torquay United made it four wins out of four in the National League in dramatic circumstances, as a late penalty from Aaron Jarvis sealed a late victory at home to Braintree Town.
The Gulls had trailed to their Essex opponents who edged ahead early on when Will Davies broke free of the United defence before slotting home.
In the second half, the game changed in the 57th minute when the Gulls were awarded a free-kick, which Jack Stobbs stepped up to take He swung it towards the far post and found the back of the net after deceiving Braintree keeper Jack Sims.
Finding the target visibly lifted United as they continued to pile on the pressure and they finally got their rewards deep in injury time. Jarvis was felled in the penalty area by Sims and referee Elliot Swallow pointed to the spot. Jarvis duly stepped up to take the spot-kick, which he powered past Sims to score the winner for the Gulls and seal a fourth win on the spin.
On many occasions in the history of the game, a stroke of good fortune managerial careers and seasons can be transformed.
Two that spring to mind are Howard Kendall's first spell at Everton between 1981 and 1987 and Sir Alex Ferguson's reign as Manchester United manager.
In the 1983-84 season when Everton were trailing Oxford United in the Milk Cup at the U's former Manor Ground hom, a mis-timed back pass from Oxford midfielder Kevin Brock was latched onto by Adrian Heath, who promptly levelled matters for the Toffees. Everton then won the replay and reached the final of the Milk Cup, where they were beaten by Liverpool after a replay, and then went on to win the 1984 FA Cup, which was followed by two league titles (1984-85 & 1986-87) and the European Cup Winner's Cup.
For Ferguson, Mark Robins' winning goal against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup in the 1989-90 campaign helped to propel the Red Devils to winning the competition, which became the first trophy that they ever won under the Scot.
Whether the Gulls' win over Braintree proves to the case remains to be seen, and on the basis of their first half showing improvements need to be made. However, the fact remains that United are the only team in National League South so far in the 2023-24 campaign to win four successive games - something that leaders Worthing are still yet to achieve.
