He’s not just great with his hands! Torquay keeper Cavolan Cavagnari scores injury-time header to equalise against Hartlepool in National League play-off final, before saving two penalties in shootout… but his side STILL miss out on promotion
- Torquay goalkeeper Cavolan Cavagnari scored the equaliser in play-off final
- Hartlepool were in front but Cavagnari headed in during last minute of the game
- Goal sparked wild celebrations among Torquay players and fans at Ashton Gate
- Cavagnari saved two penalties in shoot-out but Hartlepool earned promotion
- Hartlepool won 5-4 on penalties with game having finished 1-1 after extra time
Torquay goalkeeper Cavolan Cavagnari scored an incredibly dramatic stoppage time equaliser against Hartlepool in the National League play-off final.
Despite Cavagnari’s best efforts – which included saving two penalties in the shoot-out – Torquay missed out on promotion, with Hartlepool going up to League Two instead.
With the game in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of the second half, Hartlepool were leading 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Luke Armstrong and it looked as if they were going to secure victory.
Torquay goalkeeper Cavolan Cavagnari scored a late equaliser in the National League play-off
Cavagnari rose highest in stoppage time but his team ended up missing out on promotion
Cavagnari, however, had other ideas, with the Brazilian shot-stopper latching onto a free-kick to head in and spark wild celebrations at Ashton Gate.
Hartlepool goalkeeper Brad James attempted to intervene but was unable to get to the ball before Cavagnari.
Cavagnari also saved two penalties in the shoot-out but it was Hartlepool who were promoted
The game eventually went to penalties, with Cavagnari continuing his excellent performance by saving spot-kicks from Nicky Featherstone and Luke Armstrong.
It was Hartlepool, though, who ended up securing promotion, with James doing well to tip Matt Buse’s penalty onto the crossbar.