Paul Wotton: “I can’t believe we haven’t won that game”

Torquay United manager was left beyond bemused after his side walked away from St Albans with just a point on Saturday afternoon.

Although the Gulls fells behind early to the National League South strugglers, a penalty equaliser from Jordan Young set the platform for a dominant second-half display that saw United create numerous match-winning chances.

As well as striking the woodwork twice, United had a ‘goal’ from Jay Foulston controversially ruled out from a corner, but an overall afternoon of profligacy that leaves the Gulls two points clear at the top of an incredibly tight division in which the top seven are separated by just seven points.

“We’ve got to win that game,” said a frustrated Wotton. “We could have scored six or seven goals in the second half, but we were so wasteful with our final pass or final cross.

“There was only one team going to win the game, I can’t believe we haven’t done it.

“It was a mistake for their goal, but the boys really stepped up their game in the second half. We ran all over St Albans, but we haven’t been good enough to win the game, so a huge element of frustration because I don’t know how we haven’t scored.”

If the first 45 minutes were lacklustre from United, Wotton again showed a willingness to make changes, introducing Omar Mussa and Lirak Hasani for Will Jenkins Davies and Dylan Morgan at the interval.

Mussa, in particular, was a constant menace to the home defence and the fresh faces played a significant role in United’s dominance after the break.

Prior to that, the boss admitted his side took time to find their rhythm against a team desperate for points to pull clear of relegation trouble.

“I felt like we needed a spark because I didn’t see a player giving us one in the first half,” added Wotton. “We conceded on six minutes and St Albans in the first half played like a team in a relegation fight, and fair play to them.

“They were into the first contact and second balls quicker than us, which was not through a lack of effort from our players, we just took a while to get going and conceding the goal early makes it extra tough.

“We didn’t respond well to that goal but I thought Mussa and Lirak gave us some spark in the second half.”

The one time United did the net, it was down to the composure of Jordan Young in slotting the penalty, which underlined another hugely impressive performance by the midfielder recruited from Yeovil Town a couple of months ago.

“Youngy was the best player on the pitch by a million miles,” said Wotton. “On another day, he could have scored five goals.

“The second half was probably the most good chances we’ve created all season, and we can take some encouragement from that. We hit the woodwork twice and I’m not sure about the disallowed goal, but we had ample opportunity to score.

“Some of our decision-making was strange but we kept going until the end. We’re all frustrated with the draw but it’s a quick turnaround for Slough on Tuesday.”

The trip to Slough stems from the originally fixture being postponed due to both clubs being involved in the FA Trophy. Sitting 14th in the table, Slough spent their weekend drawing 0-0 with Eastbourne.

At the top of the table, United sit top on 51 points from 26 games played. Boreham Wood, Truro City and Eastbourne Borough are all two points behind, with Maidstone, Dorking and Worthing completing the play-off places.