Hartlepool win shoot-out to seal Football League return after Torquay keeper Lucas Covolan scored amazing late equaliser
TORQUAY UNITED’S Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Colovan scored a dramatic late equaliser – but it was Hartlepool who went on to seal a Football League return.
The Gulls were trailing Pools 1-0 in the National League Play-Off Final at Ashton Gate thanks to Luke Armstrong’s first half strike.
Gary Johnson’s side had defended superbly throughout the second period and appeared to have held firm to seal their place in League Two.
But incredibly in the fifth minute of time added on the stopper struck to save his side and take the game to extra time.
The 30-year-old went up for a corner as Torquay gave it one last throw of the dice but the cross failed to beat the first man.
However, they got a second bite of the cherry and as the ball was whipped back in Hartlepool goalie Brad James came out to collect but was beaten by the head of Covolan as he headed home.
Unfortunately for him, and despite saving two efforts in the shoot-out that followed after there were no goals in extra-time, he and Torquay were beaten 5-4 on penalties.
Amazingly, Covolan actually played against Liverpool’s No1 Alisson Becker when they were youngsters in Brazil.
And just a month after the South American scored versus West Brom to secure a point for the Reds, he has now followed suit with a late goal of his own.
Of course, Twitter loved it, and it soon exploded as the header went viral:
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Covolan joined Torquay in 2019 after impressing on a trial.
The former Brazil U20 international began his career with giants Vasco da Gama and went on to represent several other clubs in his homeland before ending up at English non-league side Whitehawk.
He then had spells at Lewes and Worthing before he caught the eye of the Gulls.
Full report to follow…
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