Breathe. Breathe again. At the final whistle some Worthing players dropped to the floor, some punched the air in disbelief. It was just wailing arms and dancing legs behind the goal. As deep into stoppage time as is possible, Nicky Wheeler’s strike from 25 yards found the net, triggering delirium. And on an afternoon where Worthing were down to 10 men for almost an entire half, this was a special, special win.

A 1-1 scoreline seemed fair enough by the end, before Wheeler composed himself from distance to turn one point into three. By that point this felt far from a victory lap, but as vital as any on this twisting, turning season that never seems to disappoint. If this really is to be the moment Chris Agutter’s side shifts into the perfect gear, it happened in a way the most chaotic, Worthing-ey way possible.

This was equally important after the setback in midweek. There seemed to be just the one word that spawned from that Farnborough fiasco: frustrating. It was exactly that. Defeat at this time of the season, at home, against a side with little to play for, is always a blow to the ribs. But when you’re chasing from an early stage, not getting the decisions or any additional time, it can be a particularly difficult experience to overcome. Today, here, they were exceptional in the face of calamity.

There were changes to the side, too. In what might have been the most overpowered bench in the history of National League South, Danny Cashman, Tommy Willard, Mo Faal, Ruben Carvalho and Chris Haigh all began the afternoon sitting in the plastic dugout. Agutter has jumbled his attacking options in recent weeks, in search of his finest recipe. Liam Nash partnered Temi Babalola on this occasion, and it seemed to do the trick for large swathes. Babalola in particular was superb. In the end, though, it was just about reaching the finish line.

What to say of those opening 25 minutes? Well, it was beautifully sunny – people literally splayed across in t-shirts. Away from the stands and it was a tight, scratchy affair. The Worthing shapes were out, Nick Wheeler looking to set Nash free at every opportunity. There were corners that were scrambled away, chances incomplete. Chelmsford, who defeated Torquay seven days earlier on this pitch, were starting to demonstrate their offensive capabilities. Lucas Covolan, a giant between the posts, was involved but not really tested. Ted Collins at the other end scarcely had to move.

In what was a particularly ordinary opening half of football, it ended with something of note. Though it arrived in equally untidy style, Worthing did take a lead into the break. Jack Spong’s corners had crafted his side’s finest chances of the half. And this one, at the second attempt, ended up bobbling into the roof of the net via the boot of Babalola. Worthing with the lead at the break without conceding – a first for nine matches.

Finding the first goal has been Worthing’s kryptonite in an otherwise superb season. With this hurdled, it was time for the Reds to face up to another of their foibles: discipline. Cam Tutt was a late arrival into the starting XI after Joe Partington was hooked for illness minutes before kick-off. Tutt would only last 48 minutes, for he was shown his marching orders for a second bookable offence. There wasn’t much of a reaction from the full-back. This is typically telling.

From the scene of the crime, Charlie Ruff delivered a devastating finish beyond the outstretched arm of Covolan. Sometimes you have to simply admire and applaud. But this was a horror start to the second half and Worthing now had to play a man light for an excruciatingly long amount of time.

Worthing remained with the rear three of Sam Packham, Joel Colbran and Joe Cook. Despite the disadvantage on the field Worthing were still able to play expansive football with a tempo and rhythm. It was a far more open and attractive showing now: With an extra player Chelmsford were naturally galvanised, sensing a second of their own. In contrast, Worthing are a ruthless force on the counter-attack.

They were perhaps even better than the opposition. Chelmsford committed too many forward, fortunate to not fall behind to a furious wave of Worthing attacks. How his side didn’t force it home Chris Agutter will never know. He was already in mid-celebration when the header was hacked cleared on the line. There were shouts for a penalty waved away, and an acrobatic attempt was slammed wide in a moment of pure chaos, pure relief for those of a home persuasion.

Then, with Cashman fresh on the field, Collins made an instinctive save to tip the header destined for the corner around the post in sumptuous style. It was a fine cross from Wheeler, pinpoint onto the head of Cashman. Somehow turned away to keep the scores level.

Time progressed and Chelmsford continued to conjure attacks of their own. Worthing still posed that ominous threat. The fourth official raised the board that displayed a brightly lit ‘5’. Five minutes, that’s all they had. They needed every second to secure the victory. Wheeler on the wing, he chopped onto his right foot and rifled low, rifled true beyond Collins and into the drooped netting behind. Then the party started – these smiles will be beaming all the way back to Sussex. Today is a good day. But Tuesday? It’s just as important.