Gary Johnson: 'We’re all gutted that we’re out of the Cup'

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson did not try to deflect the disappointment of defeat to Maidstone United 2-0 in the FA Cup at Plainmoor, but he insisted that the visitors’ first goal should have been disallowed.

The stalemate was broken, after a brighter start by the Gulls than they had produced in the 1-0 league defeat to the Stones seven days before, in first-half stoppage-time.

Stones striker Levi Amantchi tapped the ball home after an apparent mix-up between United goalkeeper Mark Halstead and defender Shaun Donnellan.

But Johnson said after viewing a replay of the incident: “Mark has got the ball, and their lad kicks it out of his hands.

“100%the referee should have disallowed it.”

Amantchi added a second goal, his tenth of the season, in the 68th minute, hooking home a rebound after Halstead had parried a shot.

Johnson went on to admit: “We’re all gutted that we’re out of the Cup.

“I thought we played well in the first half, but we didn’t carry on the same way in the second half.

“People affected the game in the first half, but didn’t affect it in the second half.

“Some people wish I wasn’t here. But we love being here, and we want this football club to succeed.

“People get very disappointed – I would be.

“But I’m the one who can put it right, and wants to put it right.

“We’ve got three league games to come that are winnable, and we want to do our best to get all nine points.

“We have to build that confidence up again.

“I, the players and the club can’t let a result like this affect our season.”