Pearson's late rescue act gives Torpoint victory over Sidmouth Town

SAM Pearson scored twice late on to turn the prospect of defeat into victory for Torpoint at The Mill on Tuesday night.

The Point were trailing 1-0 with five minutes remaining when Dave Barker crossed from the right into the penalty area and Pearson headed home the equaliser from six yards.

And it was a case of rinse and repeat in the second minute of time added on as another Barker cross saw Pearson scramble the ball home, sparking jubilant celebrations from home players and supporters.

The result lifted Torpoint into a congested mid-table and only three points away from eighth place.

In the opening 20 minutes the hosts dominated possession, then halfway through the half, good build-up play from the Torpoint midfield found Pearson on the break, but his effort went over the bar.

Just before the half-hour, Sam Morgan had a shot from distance, but his shot also went over.

With five minutes remaining of the first period, Barker found Joe Rapson, who turned a visiting defender, but his finish sailed high and wide.

In the closing stages of the half, the visitors enjoyed more possession and created some half chances for Louis Spaulding, Cholwe Hachipuka and Jack Drew-Cull.

They continued to see a lot of the ball early in the second half with Spaulding heading wide, while Drew-Cull’s effort rebounded off the post from an acute angle.

On the hour, Torpoint’s Darren Hicks crossed into the penalty area but Pearson headed inches wide of the post, and moments later, Morgan released Rapson, who raced clear but his effort went just wide.

But the visitors took the lead after 75 minutes. An Isaac Furness corner found Hachipuka in the area, and he headed past Torpoint keeper Jack Flower.

At that stage the home side looked to be heading for a third successive defeat – but then came Pearson at the double.

The Point are back in action on Saturday with a trip to bottom side Wellington (3pm).

TORPOINT ATHLETIC: Josh Flower; Dave Barker, Fred Chapman, Sam Morgan, Callum O’Brien, Elliott Crawford (capt), Darren Hicks (Tom Payne, 62), Sam Pearson, Gary Hird (Curtis Damerell, 46), Joe Rapson (James Rowe, 67), Ethan Wright. Subs not used: Sam Hepworth, Lewis Flowers.

Torpoint Athletic man-of-the-match: Sam Pearson.