After agonisingly missing out on promotion back in May, the new season brought a fresh wave of excitement for Worthing as Chris Agutter took charge of his first league game as manager – albeit from the stands as he serves a three-match touchline ban.

Agutter’s first eleven of the season included six of his summer recruits, as his side got to business at The Optima Stadium.

It was a nightmare start to a nightmare first half for the Rebels in Weston-super-Mare. It took just five minutes for the home side to open the scoring through their captain Emlyn Lewis. It came from Luke Coulson’s glorious in-swinging free-kick from the left flank which Lewis tucked away comfortably into the bottom corner.

The first real chance for the Rebels came some 20 minutes in when the ball sat up nicely for Glen Rea following a corner. His left-footed half-volley forced a save from Will Buse in the Weston goal as he parried over.

But, a little over five minutes later, the Seagulls doubled their lead from the penalty spot. It was an innocuous incident that led to the penalty being given, as Rea was adjudged to have pulled on a Weston shirt in the area while defending a corner. Coulson stepped up and tucked away the penalty.

Ten minutes later it went from bad to worse for the Rebels as Coulson was played in behind the Worthing defence. Chris Haigh came out to meet him and won the race, but as he looked to clear the danger, the ball struck Coulson and bounced favourably for the forward who headed home with ease to round off a disappointing first half for the Rebels.

Somewhat surprisingly, there were no changes made by Agutter at half time with the boss giving the chance for the starting eleven to put things right. They were on their way to doing just that less than 10 minutes into the second period, through a moment of pure brilliance from Jack Spong. He curled in a delightful free-kick from inside the D past the helpless Buse to get the Rebels on the board.

A few minutes later, Joel Colbran floated in a dangerous cross to the head of Jake Hutchinson whose header went agonisingly wide.

Agutter made his changes on the hour mark. It was a bold set of substitutions that included bringing off captain Colbran along with Rea and Hutchinson. Nicky Wheeler, Harrison Smith and Ollie Starkey were the replacements.

Ten minutes later, Cashman got another goal back for the Rebels and there was suddenly a real sense of belief amongst the squad. Joe Cook bombed down the right flank and Spong picked him out with a ball over the top of the defence. After getting close to the byline, Cook cut back to Smith who flicked it behind him to the on-running Cashman who tucked it away in the bottom corner.

Remarkably, five minutes later, they were level! Spong lined up another free-kick from some 20 yards, this time with the angle more suited to his left-footed strike. And as if anyone doubted him, it once again flew into the back of the net as Buse was left stranded in between the sticks.

There were chances for both sides in the last ten minutes and it was as nerve-jangling as you would expect from such an encounter. Substitute Jordan Bastin went close for the hosts before Cashman troubled for the Rebels but the scores remained level heading into added time.

Ollie Black was introduced as he replaced Sam Beard and his long throw in the 94th minute sent Cashman in behind the Seagulls’ defence. When captain Emlyn Lewis caught up to the Worthing forward, he brought him down in the area and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Cashman, the calmest man in Weston-super-Mare stepped up to take the penalty and sent Buse the wrong way, and the Worthing fans behind the goal into raptures. They simply could not have expected such a turnaround!

And that was that! An incredible comeback and an incredible start to the season under Agutter. At one point this afternoon, Worthing were bottom of the table – they finished the day in 2nd!

Next up for the Rebels is a trip to St Albans City next Saturday.

Worthing XI: Chris Haigh, Joe Cook, Alfie Young, Glen Rea (Off: 61′), Joel Colbran (Off: 61′), Kane Wills, Sam Beard (Off: 90′), Jack Spong, Danny Cashman, Tommy Willard, Jake Hutchinson (Off: 61′)

Subs: Tyrese Owen, Nicky Wheeler (On: 61′), Harrison Smith (On: 61′), Ollie Black (On: 90′), Ollie Starkey (On: 61′)