Torquay United leave it late to preserve unbeaten record

A late leveller from Jay Foulston earned Torquay United a tense 1-1 draw to preserve their unbeaten home record against Maidstone United.

The Gulls fell behind to a sweet strike from Charlie Seaman and a tight game looked like going the way of the Stones, a bogey side for Torquay, but Foulston intervened to ensure fortress Plainmoor remained intact.

After a stodgy start to the game, with neither side able to prise a decent opening, United found some passing rhythm with a lovely flowing move, culminating in Will Jenkins Davies feeding a pass to Finn Tonks in the right channel, and his angled drive brought out an acrobatic save from Alexis Ander Jr.

Maidstone responded with a decent spell of possession, winning a free-kick in a central position, and Seaman accepted the challenge with an excellent curling free-kick into the top corner.

United emerged full of fire and tempo after the break, Jenkins Davies picking out Cody Cooke with a delicious cross but the powerful forward, back from suspension after the weekend draw with Tonbridge, planted his header into the grateful arms of Andre Jr.

While the Gulls carried increasing menace, Maidstone kept United ‘keeper James Hamon honest with a sliding effort from former Gull Shaquille Coulthirst forcing the home custodian into a brave block.

United surged forward in response and a stubborn refusal to accept defeat resulted in a whipped free-kick from the left and Foulston timed his leap perfectly to seal a hard-earned point.

Hamon produced one last save to confirm the draw that moved the Gulls up to fourth in the National League South.

United: 1 James Hamon, 3 Jay Foulston, 4 Jordan Dyer (16 Ed Palmer 64), 5 Sam Dreyer (c), 7 Lirak Hasani (10 Omar Mussa, 55), 8 Jordan Young (11 Brad Ash 81), 14 Matt Carson (48 Keke Jeffers 61), 17 Finn Tonks, 19 Cody Cooke, 20 Dan Hayfield, 22 Will Jenkins Davies. Subs Not Used:18 Oscar Threlkeld.

Yellow Card: Dreyer 38, Young 79

Attendance: 2,855 (34 away)