United players must start 'earning a living'

Manager Gary Johnson bluntly told his Torquay United players to 'liven up' after only goalkeeper Mark Halstead had performed up to standard in a depressing 2-1 defeat away to newly-promoted Aveley.

The largely punchless Gulls, who went into the match at Parkside on a run of four successive wins, grabbed a late consolation goal through Bradley Ash, but Johnson was quick to admit that the Millers deserved their win.

"They were definitely the better team," said Johnson, whose side faces home games against Farnborough on Tuesday and unbeaten Chelmsford City next Saturday.

Torquay are sixth, still only three points behind new leaders Bath City, with Aveley up to second.

"We've got to have a little bit of a heart-to-heart with them," added Johnson. "They've got to liven up in the next few days.

"We're asking them - do you want to nick a living or earn a living?

"Today they just weren't there. It wasn't even half-there. It was very frustrating for us.

"We've got some quality players - we see it in bits, but not the whole way through."

Excused from any criticism was Halstead, who kept Torquay in the match for long periods.

"Mark has had another great game - he was the only name you could pick out and use the word 'brilliant' in the same sentence. He's certainly earning a living," commented Johnson.

"At the moment, they're not not trying - they just can't get their game going."