Tonbridge Angels inflict an unexpected bump in the road on Torquay United

Even when you’re flying and full of confidence, there are games in a football season where things just refuse to fall your way.

Torquay United were looking for a sixth win on the spin when Tonbridge Angels rocked up at Plainmoor, the Gulls were definitely flying and all in attendance expected a competent home win.

The Angels left their version of the script at home, surging into a 2-0 lead with goals from Tom Leahy and Ricky Korboa inside the opening half-hour.

United, meanwhile, had plenty of possession in decent areas, passed the ball neatly enough but even a late consolation from Louis Dennis could not mask a day when the usual poise and penetration was absent.

Despite an early foray involving Dennis and Jordan Young, the pre-match Plainmoor optimism began to fade as the visitors mounted waves of attacking pressure, culminating in a Nazir Barkin effort that ricocheted off the outside of the post.

There was a strange sluggishness about the Gulls, possibly not helped by manager Paul Wotton watching from an elevated position as he served a one-match ban for an infraction in the victory over Worthing.

The rooftop view was probably even more galling for the boss, as Tonbridge sprung the home offside trap and Leahy sauntered through to slide a finish beyond the exposed James Hamon, with his defensive team-mates protesting loudly for a flag that never came.

United’s response came from a familiar source, Young finding room behind the Tonbridge defence and he did the hard part of rounding goalkeeper Laurence Shala, but the Angels scampered back to crowd out the Gulls’ leading scorer.

Ten minutes later, the deficit was doubled, Korboa reacting first to a second ball on the edge of United’s box and his half-volley took a slight deflection as it arrowed into the far top corner.

The Gulls recovered from their shock and controlled possession, but chances were at a premium, Sam Dreyer going closest with a header against the bar. The second period required a reaction and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton came closest with a fizzing low drive brilliantly blocked by Shala.

After that, United piled men forward, Young’s radar was too high from distance and a number of free-kicks were spurned, while Hamon had to make two good saves to thwart Tonbridge on the counter.

Finally, deep into stoppage time, Young’s clipped cross was headed in by Dennis but it was too little, too late.