Torquay United battle back for draw at Weston

Torquay United remain entrenched in the National League South promotion picture after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at one of the other contenders, Weston-super-Mare.

The Gulls were lacklustre in the first period and fell behind to a goal from James Dodd but the second-half riposte was full of character and fight.

Matt Jay clawed United level and there were chances to grab all three points but, after the painful late loss at Chelmsford on the weekend, a draw will go down as a good result.

The Gulls, buoyed by the return of Sam Dreyer and Jordan Dyer to the defensive line, conjured the first chance for Cody Cooke, who was narrowly off target after an incisive pass from Jay.

Cooke was then denied a decent penalty claim after a clumsy challenge from the Weston defence. The hosts responded by sparking their first moment of concern in the United defence, a corner from Luke Coulson bouncing around before being hacked off the line.

After a quieter spell in the game, United fell behind in frustrating circumstances, as a corner was only partially cleared and Dodd pounced for Weston with a scruffy goal on a big night in the promotion race.

The Gulls immediately set about finding a quick response, Cooke again the catalyst, as he lashed a super drive inches over the bar with home custodian Max Harris struggling to make up the ground.

Weston, however, remained a threat at the other end, experienced forward Reuben Reid swivelled neatly in the box for a shot on the turn that was somehow blocked by Dyer. Dylan Kadj and Sam Pearson also both went close in a strong finish to the half for Weston.

United needed a response after the break, and they got one!

Jordan Young had a shot charged down from a Matt Carson cross before the Northern Irish youngster picked out Cooke with a lovely delivery that resulted in a header steered off target.

After a solid James Hamon save from a Keiran Thomas strike, United manager Paul Wotton handed a debut to new signing Ozzy Zanzala in place of Omar Mussa. Within a minute, the Gulls were level, Jay grabbing his second in successive games with a predatory finish after the ball had been deflected into his path.

The Yellows had some serious attacking impetus, Dyer heading wide from a corner before Weston regained some control of a frantic spell. Both sides were understandably throwing caution to the wind but a decisive final chance failed to arrive.

Honours even and Torquay resume their promotion push at home to Boreham Wood on Saturday.

United: 1 James Hamon, 4 Jordan Dyer, 5 Sam Dreyer, 8 Jordan Young, 10 Omar Mussa (17 Offrande Zanzala 55), 14 Matt Carson, 18 Oscar Threlkeld (7 Lirak Hasani 81), 19 Cody Cooke (16 Ed Palmer 90+3), 20 Dan Hayfield,  26 Jordan Thomas, 27 Matt Jay. Subs Not Used: 2. Finley Craske, 22. Will Jenkins Davies.

Yellow Card: Mussa 18, Carson 78

Attendance: 1,992