This was an emotional day for a Worthing fan. Hours before kick-off news swirled of the passing of beloved club commentator, Peter Vale. A man who gave so much time, so much energy for the club, and whose smile lifted every spirit. There are simply not enough superlatives to describe him. And on a cold, tense evening between two teams eying promotion, his cherished Reds unquestionably did him proud, despite not quite getting over the line here.

At the weekend Worthing had collected another three points. That made it 12 unbeaten in the league – an imperious run that has seen the Reds play much closer to their potential. It’s streaks such as these that can alter the season entirely. And it’s games like tonight that go a long, long way in the winding road to promotion.

A minute’s applause impeccably observed from all corners of Woodside Road, this night beneath the lights was a box office affair. One that ebbed, flowed and probably should have been three Worthing points.

It began with Worthing driving forward at speed. Nash dragged a shot wide early on and the red arrows circled the Torquay box. It was a confident start. Then the ball shuddered into the back of the net. It was a supreme corner routine, swung in with the perfect power and placement onto the head of Joe Partington, whose bullet header almost burst the net.

It had been deserved: the Reds emerged from the traps hungrier, penning Torquay deep in their own half. They had been swept away by a ravenous Reds attack on this pitch just a few weeks ago, and the reminders were hastily whirling within the minds of those in the iconic yellow and blue again. Until they equalised with their only genuine attempt of the first half.

Jordan Young, 25 yards. Worthing had been finding the channels, picking the passes with fluidity before the setback. After Partington’s header, it seemed as if the Reds might be enjoying a similarly ruthless opening half. Torquay settled, tightened things up in the midfield, and posed a bit more of a threat. Then Sam Beard drove forward with the ball, racing across the centre of the pitch. He laid it off to Nicky Wheeler, who delivered a delicious cross that changed the complexion of the night once more.

Nash, who had shone on his debut in Tunbridge just days’ before, settling the contest with a clinical strike, was on the scoresheet here again. His header combined placement with power, beauty and class. He is a striker who knows where the goal is, who changes matches. It hasn’t taken him long to do both in a red shirt.

There was a moment just before the break where Woodside Road fell into complete silence. Jordan Thomas, racing along the byline, threaded a delicate pass across the face of Chris Haigh’s goal. What followed was a mighty exhale as the ball rolled out of play, and the pressure relieved.

There hadn’t been a great deal of Torquay brilliance in the half. Haigh hadn’t made a save – had scarcely touched the ball, save for picking it out of his own net 20 minutes in. For Worthing had controlled proceedings, as they so often do here.

Half-time breezed by and the resumption was marked by the referee. Jack Spong guided an effort that brushed the post in what seemed to hang in the air for an age, most of the ground expecting to hear the clink as it crashed into the corner. Wide it was, and the perfect start was not quite achieved.

As the minutes ticked on Torquay slowly, hesitantly grew into the game. They had come for a point, and their plan was plainly to hold out for as long as possible before starting to take a few more risks. They were just starting to get on top of things as they threw on Omar Mussa and Matt Jay, the former coming within Haigh’s strong left-hand of making it 2-2. Sam Dreyer headed wide, Worthing’s defence did that thing where they try to play five-a-side inside their box, and suddenly Torquay were on top.

To counter, Chris Agutter reloaded. Mo Faal and Danny Cashman off, and on came Temi Babalola and Tommy Willard. The latter had returned from his spell in the injury in electric style on Saturday, curling home the first in delightful style. The two combined swiftly here, Willard located in the box but the shot blocked well.

Then the red cards came. Sam Beard the first to be given his marching orders – lunging in with feet off the ground. Whatever hope Torquay had of making their man advantage count was extinguished just minutes later. Dreyer, caught in a tangle with Babalola to the ball sent over the top, was shown the same card. 10v10. 10 minutes remained.

And then, for further drama, Torquay won a penalty just as the fourth official was readying his board for additional time. Partington the culprit, the referee and linesman had little hesitation. Cody Cooke found the net, albeit through the hand of Haigh.

Worthing didn’t quite have enough in that second half. Perhaps it was one too many defensive switches too soon, for those final 30 minutes saw the Reds’ defensive line under immense pressure at times. Three points would have been brilliant, one point is still crucial. Victory for Pete would have been fitting, but promotion for Pete sounds all the more suitable. And tonight was one step closer.