National League South: Taunton Town 1-2 Torquay United

TAUNTON Town are now four points off the pace in the relegation battle after defeat at home on Tuesday (April 16) in the National League South.

The match against Torquay United ended 1-2 in favour of the visitors who have secured safety from the drop with this win.

For Taunton, they now require two wins from their final two fixtures to give themselves a chance of survival.

A crowd of 2,531 turned out at Wordsworth Drive for this fixture and it was the large group of travelling Torquay fans who had the better night.

For the match, Taunton were without captain Nick Grimes who was on the bench, Callum Dolman took his place in the backline.

The first knockings of the game were played largely in the middle of the pitch as both sides settled into the game.

However it was the away side who settled quicker and they began to create chances to break the deadlock.

In the 12th minute, Tom Lapslie had an open goal six-yards from goal but the ball got stuck in his feet and Dan Lavercombe claimed.

This encouraged Torquay to push further forward and on 16 minutes they scored the opener when Lapslie dropped the ball off to Brett McGavin who curled it into the top corner from the edge of the box.

From here, Torquay managed the balance of play well and restricted the hosts from any real opportunities to get an equaliser.

And Torquay went further in front in the 29th minute when an unmarked Asa Hall rifled the ball home from a corner.

On 39 minutes Cam Evans was shown a yellow card after a sliding tackle and that was the last real act of the half as it ended 0-2.

Taunton got the second half underway in the right fashion and pulled a goal back on 47 minutes when Ollie Chamberlain smashed home from the side of the box.

The Peacocks then thought they had an equaliser when Ross Stearn had the ball in the back of the net but the referee called it back for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Torquay were rattled at this point in truth, but they soon were able to steady the ship and keep the Taunton charge at bay.

Ross Stearn was replaced in the 59th minute and Marcus Day came on for Lloyd James in the 77th as the hosts changed tactic to chase an equaliser.

In fact, Day was sent on to the pitch with a paper note from the management team. It was passed around to Dolman and Rabby Tabu Minzamba.

There was a huge chance for the equaliser in the 85th minute after Zac Bell's initial effort hit the post and bounced to Evander Grubb who blasted wide of an open goal.

Despite 12 minutes of added time, Taunton were unable to find the all important equaliser and the match ended 1-2.

Torquay fans were singing loud and proud, while the Peacocks faithful left defeated and all eyes now turn to Thursday's local derby against Weston-super-Mare.

That match is a must win for Taunton Town, that much is true. A defeat would mean relegation from the National League South.