Victory confirms Torquay United will remain in the National League South

Torquay United travelled to Taunton Town with a simple equation in their penultimate game of a torrid National League South season: win and they would not be relegated.

In a campaign that has seen the Gulls lurch from crisis to deeper crisis, including the immense uncertainty of administration, this was a night they delivered a top performance when it really mattered.

Brett McGavin and Asa Hall both scored with cracking goals in a dominant first half and, while Taunton pulled one back after the break and United had to survive 12 minutes of stoppage time, it was a game they deserved to win.

In the days and weeks to come, United’s future ownership scenario will hopefully become clearer but tonight was all about survival on the pitch.

“I firstly want to apologise to our supporters for putting them through that,” said interim manager Aaron Downes. “It’s been a tough season and a tough couple of months for everybody.

“Tonight, we showed our true colours as a football club. We were good, on and off the pitch. There have been some difficult moments this season but tonight was a very good moment.

“I can’t praise the players enough. They scored two goals, could have scored more, but the application and selflessness they have shown in such an uncertain time has been different class.

“They have acquitted themselves remarkably and should be proud of that. When uncertain times come, your mind can drift and people’s character can change, but our boys haven’t.

“There has not been a single game where you could say they’re not trying. There might be moments where we’ve not done enough to show the right skill or decision-making, but the attitude and work-rate has never been in question.

“We don’t know what is going to happen as we move forward but the most important thing has been the football club. First and foremost, we had to be secure our place in this division, and then we have a basis to build on.

“Whatever happens in the coming weeks, at least we know we’re staying in the division. It’s not been a good season by a long shot but we’ve salvaged something, and we can move forward in the future.

“The supporters have been phenomenal and the crowds we’ve had, home and away, are unbelievable. They have really come through when it mattered, like I knew they would.

“We were 2-1 up with 12 minutes of injury time and they were so loud, so supportive and so happy at the end. I thank everybody for showing their support over the last couple of months, ‘you are a credit to yourself and a credit to the football club’.

“With support like that, there is a bright future ahead.”