Torquay United lose unbeaten home record against league leaders

Fortress Plainmoor was breached for the first time this season, as Torquay United went down to a 2-1 defeat at home to league leaders Hornchurch.

The first half was a tale of two penalties, Callum Dolan converting for United, Henry Hearn replying for Hornchurch, but the game was decided by a fine effort from Angelo Balanta early in the second period.

After a beautiful rendition of the Last Post and an impeccably observed minute’s silence, the game opened with Hornchurch on the front foot, prompting some fairly frantic defending from the Gulls.

Once the pattern settled, United set down an early marker with a penalty awarded on ten minutes, duly despatched by Dolan. Jordan Young almost doubled the lead from the next attack, denied by a top save from Arthur Nasta.

The visitors responded with an effort from former Gull Josh Rees turned over the bar. Hornchurch were turning the screw and got their reward when Rees was felled in the box, and Hearn slotted his penalty beyond the dive of James Hamon and into the bottom corner.

United were given a reprieve when a goal from Balanta was ruled out for offside, as the game ramped up in excitement, Young cutting in from the right for a trademark left-foot curler fizzed narrowly over.

Hamon pulled off a top double save eight minutes before the break, the second bravely diving at the feet of Hearn to prevent a certain goal. A cracking first half of football at Plainmoor.

Unfortunately, the second half opened in the worst possible fashion for United, as the vastly experienced Balanta skipped into space and curled a delightful finish beyond Hamon for a Hornchurch lead.

Young spearhead the response with a pass along the box for Matt Jay, who then fed Louis Dennis, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Nasta. The Yellow Army were next clapping in relief after a fine save from Hamon, using his legs to block Hearn.

Young then had another effort floated over, but he was fouled in the process of shooting, leading to a free-kick in prime Young position but the wall did their job. United were cranking up the pressure, Dennis pinging a sweet strike from 20 yards, tipped over by Nasta.

The quick feet of Young was next to carve space in the right channel but his clipped cross failed to pick out an arriving attacker. Substitute Dylan Morgan then popped up on the opposite flank, curling a lovely effort just beyond the top corner.

Six minutes of stoppage time offered late hope, including Hamon venturing forward for a last-minute corner, but Hornchurch held on for maximum points.