Everything seemed to be written in the stars for the Gulls to come out on top against Hornchurch in the National League South play-off final.
It was 39 years to the day that Bryn the Police dog sunk his teeth into Jim McNichol to force the added time that helped United to draw 2-2 with Crewe Alexandra on the final day of the 1986-87 season at Plainmoor. In addition to this, it was also 22 years and a day since one of the most glorious days in the club's history when the Gulls beat Southend United 2-1 at Roots Hall with goals from Steve Woods and David Graham to clinch their first automatic promotion in 38 years under Leroy Rosenior.
However, the events at the Hornchurch Stadium will rank alongside more infamous days such as United's 2-1 defeat to Colchester United in 2004-05, which condemned the Gulls to an immediate return to the fourth tier almost exactly a year to the day since their aforementioned success under Rosenior.
At Hornchurch, United couldn't have got off to a better start when Deon Moore latched onto a ball over the top from Sam Dreyer before racing through on goal to slot home in the eighth minute.
Player of the year Sonny Blu Lo-Everton then tested the Urchins' Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee keeper Arthur Nasta from 25 yards, but then Hornchurch started to gain a foothold in the game.
They were rewarded for their endeavours on the stroke of half time when loanee keeper Seb Stacey dashed off his line and brought down Urchins winger Charlie Pegram, prompting referee Matthew Norton to point to the point. Striker Dominic Poleon then stepped up to convert the spot-kick and levelled matters.
On 78 minutes, the Gulls regained their lead when a precision pass from sub Callum Dolan picked out Moore, who finely drilled home his eighth goal in six games.
Just as it looked as though United would be marking their return to the National League, Hornchurch sub Henry Hearn bundled home after a cross from fellow sub Darren McQueen caused havoc in the Gulls' box.
Early in injury time, United came agonisingly close to restoring their lead when Nasta denied a header from Dan Hayfield.
Just when penalties seemed to be a certainty, Sam Ling, the son of the former United manager Martin, popped up to give the Urchins the lead for the first time in the match. The Torquay United connection in the Hornchurch camp didn't end there, as they are managed by former Gulls loanee Daryl McMahon.
So, a fourth season in the sixth tier now beckons for United and it's worth noting that the 2026-27 campaign will mark 100 years since the Gulls were first elected to the Football League.
Could it be a good omen for next year?
