A 16-year journey from bust to boom is almost complete. Aldershot were wound up in March, 1992, but March, 2008 looks far more promising for the club who rose from their ashes. Last night, a winner deep into injury time brought Aldershot Town a 2-1 victory at Plainmoor and sent them 11 points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier with 12 games left.

The Football League status that was surrendered for the want of less than £100,000 is tantalisingly close, though Gary Waddock, the manager, is assuming nothing. “It’s a big step but there’s a long way to go and it’s a long season,” he said.

Torquay United beat Aldershot 3-0 at the Recreation Ground in the second match of the season and have been the division’s most flamboyant attacking force, but Waddock’s side have found their stride when it matters most. The home side dominated possession but the visiting team were stubborn and deadly at the last.

Torquay, who are second, fell out of the League only last season. They have a match in hand on the leaders, but the scale of the deficit and the manner of this defeat could have a demoralising effect.

A defensive mix-up between Mikkel Anderson, the Torquay goalkeeper, and Mark Ellis donated an early goal to Danny Hylton. That was cancelled out by Lee Phillips in the second half and Torquay pressed strongly for a winner, but Scott Davies struck from the edge of the area in the fourth minute of added time to win the game for Aldershot.

“They’re an extremely good side and they put us under the cosh for a long period,” Waddock said. “We’ve scored a number of late goals and it’s not a coincidence because we keep playing right to the end.”

Paul Buckle, the Torquay manager — and former Aldershot player — said: “We just never got the breaks and their keeper was in inspired form.

“If we play like that from now until the end of the season I’ll be a happy manager and we won’t be far away. You’ve got to say it wasn’t our night.” Aldershot, though, are on the brink of ecstasy.

Torquay United (4-4-2): M Andersen — L Mansell, C Todd, M Ellis, K Nicholson — K Mohamed (sub: D Stevens, 62min), M Hockley, C Hargreaves, C Zebroski (sub: J Banim, 81) — L Phillips (sub: R D’Sane, 78), T Sills. Substitutes not used: C Robertson, M Rice. Booked: Ellis.

Aldershot Town (4-4-2): N Bull — R Gier, D Winfield, R Day, A Charles — S Davies, L Chalmers (sub: L Soares, 90), B Harding,Joel Grant (sub: K Hudson, 74) — R Elvins, D Hylton (sub: J Mendes, 83). Substitutes not used: A Straker, M Jaimez-Ruiz. Booked: Charles, Hylton.

Referee: P Gibbs.

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