Torquay United boss Gary Owers believes the squad can feel unlucky after coming away from the home game with Eastleigh with nothing to show for their efforts.
“I haven’t been too critical of the players today because I thought they had a go at the game,” Owers told the local media at full time. “Deserved something out of the game, whether it was three points I’m not sure, but definitely a point. We’ve been punished by giving away two really soft goals again.
“It kills us. I’m like the supporters. They’ve shown their supporters at the end and I understand that, but on the day the lads gave what they had. We had a good chance early in the game that we didn’t take and after 15 minutes we grew into the game.”
United went behind in the opening 10 minutes through Bournemouth loanee Sam Matthews. Despite going behind the Gulls reacted well, levelling the score just after the half-hour mark through Luke Young.
“To be fair to the lads they stuck to the plan, got back into the game and went in level at half time. It’s very easy in our position to throw the towel in and they certainly didn’t.”
Jamie Reid missed a decisive second-half penalty after George Dowling was brought down inside the box.
“That’s the tale of our season. We can’t take a guilt-edged chance like that and I’m not blaming Reidy, because he tucked one home at Eastleigh. If you take penalties you’re either successful or unsuccessful.
Owers reaffirmed his desire to bring in extra bodies in a bid to turn the club’s form around.
“I’m working as hard as I can, I’m trying my best to bring players in. If the fans think that has to be someone else, he’ll have the same problems. It’s been tough times, not just this year but for a number of years here.
“The players that are here want to be here, so that’s well done to them. I have to keep trying to improve what I’ve got and to be honest, what was already here. I haven’t bought all the players to the club, most of the players were already part of a squad that hadn’t won for 11 or 12 games, that’s what I’m working with.”