Torquay United 5, Crawley Town 6 - FA Cup: Nadesan hits winner as Reds beat Gulls in sensational game

A late goal from Josh Umerah looked to have given the home side the win. But Tunnicliffe popped up in the last minute to take the game into extra-time.

After going into half-time 2-0 down Goals from Tom Nichols and Max Watters looked to have brougt Crawley Town back into the game in a rollercoaster second half.

And when Asa Hall scored two penalties in extra-time, it looked all over for the Reds. But Nichols completed his hat-trick with two goals to make it 5-5 before Ashley Nadesan sealed the win with a cool finish.

This all followed Reds keeper Tom McGill having to be stretchered off after a worrying looking injury just after the break after a collision with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

Nadesan returned to the starting XI in place of Max Watters who dropped to the bench while Dannie Bulman started in midfield. Tony Craig captained the side in the absence of George Francomb, who has a broken arm.

Torquay beat Sholing 2-0 in the fourth qualifying round to set up the tie with John Yems' side.

And it was the home side who had the first chance when Tom McGill had to tip over a Kyle Cameron header.

The hosts were looking dangerous and on 12 minutes Jordan Tunnicliffe failed to get his head on the ball allowed Danny Wright through but his half-volley went inches wide.

Reds had a good chance to take the lead when Nadesan hit the bar but a great breakaway saw Aaron Nemane outpace the Crawley Town defence and slot past McGill.

Nadesan was looking dangerous for the visitors and forced a corner from an acute angle just minutes after the goal.

But it was the Gulls who scored next on the 24th minute. Ben Whitfield drove forward and was allowed a lot of space as he clinically slotted past McGill.

Yems' men fought back after the second goal, and created chances but nothing clear cut and former Lewes, Whitehawk and Worthing keeper Lucas Covolan looked dominant in the box.

However it was the Gulls who nearly made it 3-0 in the 41st minute when Whitefield turned the Crawley defence in circles before hitting the crossbar, which would have left the Reds with a huge mountain to climb.

A lively start in the second half saw Crawley on the attack straight away but Nadesan could not control Tom Nichols' dangerous low cross in the Torquay area.

But it took another bad turn for the Reds when John Yems was forced to make a change when Tom McGill suffered serious looking injury.

McGill was left flat out after a collision with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and the medical teams were called on.

After an 18-minute stoppage, 39-year-old new signing Stuart Nelson replaced the 20-year-old Brighton and Hove Albion loanee, who was stretchered off.

After the break, both sides looked to attack but it was Torquay who still looked the most likely.

Yems also brought on Max Watters to replace Tyler Frost to add some firepower up front.

And it was the Reds who got the next goal when Tom Nichols scored from the penalty spot after Nadesan was brought down by Ben Wynter.

Nichols then teed up Watters for a great chance to equalise but the in-form striker shot straight at Covolan.

But in the 14th minute of injury time, Watters did make a difference with a calm finish after being put through.

However that was not the end of the action as goals from Umerah and then Tunnifcliffe made it 3-3 in an unbelievable final few minutes.

The drama continued in extra time when just before the end of the first period Archie Davies was penalised for a nudge in the back on Umerah. Asa Hall scored from the spot.

Tony Craig was then punished for holding back Cameron in the box and Hall scored from the spot again.

But the Reds fought back with two poacher's goals from Nichols and then Nadesan was put through to fire under Covolan.

A sensational game and an incredible comeback.