MARCUS Wormwell's first half goal clinched Thornbury Town a place in the second round of the FA Vase down in Cornwall.
Thorns made the long journey south to the banks of the River Tamar to take on Western League Premier opposition in Torpoint, and came out on top to seal a place in Monday's draw.
The visit to The Mill was Thorns' second FA Vase journey into Cornwall after success at St Blazey two years ago, and it proved to be another memorable afternoon, with a gritty cup performance earning success.
There was one change to the starting XI from the team that had drawn in the Hellenic Premier seven days before against Pershore Town. Fraser Moss returned to the midfield, swapping with Jim Brock who was in amongst the substitutes.
Thornbury made a bright start and should have been ahead early on. Wormwell met an early Cam Drew corner but saw his header blocked on the line, while Callum Chalmers' low hit was well saved by the feet of Ryan Rickard.
Torpoint settled into the game and Gary Hird's long run and shot was saved by Adam Clark as they forced their first real opening.
The afternoon's only goal came a few minutes before half time and it was Wormwell who kept his composure to strike.
He drifted across the box looking for an opportunity to get his shot away, before slipping a low effort past Rickard and a stranded defender on the line to break the deadlock.
It should have been two to Thornbury before the half time whistle. Youngster Sam Moseley broke through, rounded Rickard, but was forced too wide and saw his hit on goal go into the side netting.
The 16-year-old was in amongst it at the start of the second half again when he saw his shot on goal saved, while Clark was required to make an excellent diving save from Hird's curling attempt after he had cut inside.
A relatively calm game on a discipline front took a turning point when the hosts were reduced to ten men with Sam Hepworth shown two yellow cards in a matter of seconds, firstly for a foul, and then for abusing referee Leigh Michael.
Thorns searched for a second goal that was needed to make the game comfortable. Wormwell saw an effort saved, while Chalmers' header from a Harry Brock cross fell wide of the target.
Another Moseley effort, this time from distance, went close, while substitute Luke Franklin was inches away from grabbing a late second when Wormwell's low ball into the box saw the midfielder hammer against the woodwork inside the area.
Thornbury were indebted to Clark once again in the closing moments as the goalkeeper made an excellent and crucial save. Luke Cloke's header looked like it was set to earn Torpoint a last gasp equaliser, but Clark did brilliantly to keep the ball out to help Thorns hang on to victory.
There was to be one more red card after the full time whistle for a member of the Torpoint coaching staff, as Thorns travelled back to South Gloucestershire with their place in the second round secured.
THORNBURY: A Clark, D Parry, A Fowler, J Guest, N Sage, S Moseley (J Brock), F Moss (L Franklin), M Wormwell, H Brock, C Drew (T Black), C Chalmers Subs not used: M Toghill, W Fowler
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