Nightmare week for Torquay United leads to another big loss in Sussex

Torquay United have visited Sussex twice in the past four days, lost twice, conceded seven goals and suffered more injuries.

The Gulls went down 4-2 at lowly Eastbourne on Saturday and were behind the eight-ball again at half-time, trailing to a goal from Brad Dolaghan and losing captain Sam Dreyer to a knock.

The pack was drastically shuffled but a second from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft extended the lead and a third from Remiero Moulton sealed the deal, despite Matt Worthington reducing the arrears with a late strike.

After the weekend pain at Eastbourne, United started the game in sprightly fashion, Dylan Morgan enjoying plenty of the ball and the Gulls looked sharp with their pressing in the engine room.

Louis Dennis fizzed a powerful strike across the face of goal before Worthing posted a warning of their threat, Teddy Jenks stretching the United defence before Dolaghan had the ball in the net, thankfully denied by an offside flag.

Back came the Gulls and a drive from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton whistled narrowly wide. Worthing were being forced to defend with increasing desperation, Morgan forcing a strong save from Josh Jeffries.

When Worthing broke the shackles, Jenks was again the problem, thwarted by an excellent recovery challenge from Ed Palmer. United responded with a Dennis header glanced wide from a corner.

An entertaining game returned to the other end, as the hosts volleyed over from a good position but the opener arrived moments after the half-hour, Dolaghan pouncing on a sloppy pass from James Hamon to slot home.

While the goal was harsh on United, it was a difficult moment at the back and took some time for the team to regroup, although they ended the half in the mild ascendancy.

Unfortunately, the defensive injury list endured another unwanted twist with the enforced removal of skipper Dreyer for Dan Hayfield. United boss Paul Wotton shifted Jay Foulston into the centre of defence, Jordan Thomas switched to left back and Worthington went to right back.

There was little between the sides in the opening ten minutes of the second period but United’s task became mountainous when the Rebels doubled their lead with a swift break, Coleman De-Graft steering a low shot beyond the advancing Hamon after finding space on the right side of the penalty area.

Wotton turned to Cody Cooke and Matt Jay for the final half-hour, replacing a limping Dennis and Morgan, with the Gulls now down to the bare bones after naming just five players on the bench.

A robust challenge on Lo-Everton raised concerns for yet another injury but the United midfielder, mercifully, was able to run it off and rejoin the action.

Despite the personnel problems, the Gulls were enjoying territorial superiority, winning a succession of set-pieces but Worthing were able to clear the danger on each occasion.

Sonny Fish for Kieran Wilson was the final United change of the evening but the game was over when Remiero Moulton picked up on a loose pass, drove in from the left flank and drilled a low strike into the home net.

The Gulls did grab a consolation, Worthington mopping up after a set-piece was half-cleared and the emergency full back pinged a low drive beyond Jeffries.

A tough run for United but eight out of the final 13 games are at home and the phrase Fortress Plainmoor has rarely been more important.