A biassed Devonian crowd screamed Torquay to victory, giving interim manager Aaron Downes chills.
The Gulls moved five points clear of the National League South drop-zone with a 1-0 victory over high-flying Hampton & Richmond.
More than 3,000 people flocked to Plainmoor, bolstered by supporters of Plymouth and Exeter, whose teams were off on what the Gulls dubbed Devon Day.
Downes said, “I had goosebumps,” on BBC Radio Devon. Every member of the army—yellow, green, and red—performed a part today.
Torquay was fined 10 points earlier this month and had only won one of their previous 12 league games, which put the struggling Gulls in the running to avoid relegation.
The lone goal came after 28 minutes when Brad Ash was tripped in the box and Asa Hall, the recalled captain, beat Adam Desbois from the penalty spot. Despite this, the hosts put on a confident showing to impede the Londoners’ promotion push.
After the interval, Hampton & Richmond increased their pressure, but according to Downes, United’s support from their third-largest crowd of the year had put them over the top.
“The fans have always been amazing when you’re playing well and doing well since I’ve been here,” he stated. It matters when we’re ahead 1-0 with
“We needed that extra piece of energy, and the supporters really played their part, giving us shivers on the back of my neck. I have nothing but praise for them. Every member of the club has fulfilled their role for today.
“In the first half we were entertaining, showed enthusiasm, good quality, we dominated the game in the first half and it was really impressive,” he stated.
“The boys stood up to it, even though we knew they would throw everything at it in the second half. We put on a strong showing and earned three excellent points against a strong team that is ranked fourth in the division.”
