Worthing headed to Chippenham off the back of a 1-0 win against Weymouth that had extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches. They were facing a Bluebirds side that had only picked up 11 points from 12 home matches this season.

Chris Agutter named an unchanged XI and subs bench as his side looked to continue their momentum from the weekend.

Worthing had an early appeal for a penalty waved away when Joel Colbran was bundled over inside the box less than two minutes into the contest.

It was a scrappy contest for the first 25 minutes or so that saw neither side have a real spell of possession. They traded blows in the way of chances, with Mo Faal hitting a couple of shots wide in the opening period for the Rebels while Harry Parsons and Will Dawes squandered a chance each for the hosts.

It was the hosts who took the lead on 26 minutes. A long ball over the top was not dealt with by the defensive pairing of Joe Partington and Joe Cook, which led to the ball falling to the feet of Tom Mehew whose first-time strike was hammered into the bottom right corner to put his side in front.

The Rebels’ reaction to going behind was a good one and there was a good chance for Jack Spong over a dead ball just five minutes after going behind. His free-kick was some 20 yards out, in a central position, and it was struck just wide of the upright.

Five minutes later, Spong thought he’d gone one better as the keeper kept out his free-kick on the line. There were appeals from the Worthing players in the box that it had crossed the line, but the assistant referee was well-placed and let play continue.

Worthing found the equaliser just a few minutes before the break and it was a fine strike by Mo Faal to get back on level terms. A loose ball forward was kept alive by Danny Cashman who teed up Faal on the volley and the forward’s effort struck the underside of the crossbar before rebounding off keeper Will Henry and in!

Into the second half, the Rebels were far more assured in possession and began to control things a bit more inside the opening 20 minutes or so. Jack Spong had the best opportunity in this period after a lovely move which started by their own corner flag. As it was worked forward, it opened up for Spong to try his luck at goal and his effort bounced awkwardly in front of Henry who saved well.

Agutter made a series of changes just after the hour mark as he looked to give his side an advantage. Ruben Carvalho, Bailey Smith and Sam Packham came on to replace Nicky Wheeler, Temi Babalola and Sam Beard.

But, it was the home side who were next to threaten and they nearly found their way through, but for a fine save from Chris Haigh to prevent Leone Gravata’s effort.

Ten minutes later, Cashman had a free-kick from the left side of the area which nearly all of the ground thought had gone in, but it went just the wrong side of the upright as it hit the side netting.

Cook had a header blocked brilliantly by Hamzad Kargbo before Agutter made a fourth change, bringing on Odei Martin Sorondo to replace Spong.

On 83 minutes, the Rebels got themselves in front. Colbran picked out Faal’s run into the channel on the right side of the area and the forward did brilliantly to get hold of it before firing in off the far post!

All of a sudden, the Rebels had a lead to defend, but it wasn’t to last long. Four minutes later, a long ball was played forward to Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Haigh rushed out as he looked to punch it clear, but Amadi-Holloway got there first and his header looped over Haigh and into an empty net.

So, six minutes of injury time were signalled and Worthing were looking for a moment, some way, some how, to win it. Up stepped substitute Carvalho to take a corner – floated perfectly into the danger area. Still, to this moment, it’s hard to tell who bundled it in, but it found its way in and the Rebels had won it, right at the death! The players wheeled away in celebration and were joined next to the corner flag by the substitutes and coaching staff alike, all unable to contain their emotion.

20 points out of a possible 24 in the National League South, back-to-back wins, and within three points of top spot with a game-in-hand. A memorable night indeed in the West Country!

Next up, another away day, to the Gallagher Stadium to take on Maidstone United on Saturday afternoon.