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Torquay 0-1 Royals (AET)

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The Royals left it as late as possible to secure a passage through to the Carling Cup 2nd round when Grzegorz Rasiak scored in the final minute of extra time, for a 1-0 win over Torquay.

With so few of the side that lost to Scunthorpe available, due to injury and international call ups, Brian McDermott named a much changed side including the likes of Michail Antonio and Nicholas Bignall. There was a return for Grzegorz Rasiak upfront and Brian Howard and Jay Tabb were back together in the middle of midfield after both were surprisingly dropped at the weekend.

The home side had the best of the earlier chances with Ben Hamer impressive in goal to keep out Chris Zebroski whilst at the other end Howard saw a curling free kick narrowly go wide of the far post. Youngsters Antonio and Bignall almost combined before the interval but the latter was just unable to get on the end of a cross into the box.

Howard was impressing in the midfield and another free kick tested Torquay keeper Scott Bevan and he was enjoying his responsibilities as the set piece taker, in Gylfi Sigurdsson`s absence. We dominated the second period but the likes of Griffin, Rasiak and Antonio all went close but we could not find the breakthrough and the game went into extra time.

The first period continued on the same note, with the Royals dominating, but Hamer was alert to keep out Danny Stevens who broke on the counter attack. He could do nothing about Elliot Benyon`s effort though as the strikers shot hit the inside of the post.

In the second period of extra time Jordan Obita came on for his debut, quite an achievement for the 16 year old, but we looked to be heading to penalties. However Howard put over one final delivery, a scramble ensued in the box and Rasiak turned the ball home much to the delight of the travelling supporters.



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