TORQUAY UNITED 2

Andrews 59, Lemonheigh-Evans 85

WEYMOUTH 1

Dallas 42 pen

WEYMOUTH were left to lick their wounds after Torquay United came back from 1-0 down to record a priceless 2-1 victory at Plainmoor.

With Torquay in contention for the Vanarama National League title, the Gulls’ defence looked shaky in the first half as keeper Lucas Covolan tripped Andy Dallas for a penalty.

The Scottish striker converted for his eighth goal of the season in the 42nd minute, but Torquay dominated the second half.

Joe Lewis and Asa Hall both struck the bar before a Jake Andrews sizzler levelled the score.

Weymouth clung on until the 85th minute when Connor Lemonheigh-Evans rose highest to bury a header and score his second winner against the Terras this season.

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Given the half-time scenario this loss will sting for Weymouth boss Brian Stock, who made two changes to the side that began the 3-2 loss at Halifax last time out.

Ben Thomson came in for Josh Wakefield who dropped to the bench, along with Cameron Murray.

New centre-back Ben Morgan, signed for a small fee from Gloucester City, came straight in for his debut as part of a flexible 5-3-2 formation.

Joan Luque took Josh Leslie-Smith’s place on the bench in the only other switch.

Torquay had edged Weymouth 4-3 in the reverse fixture and made a commanding start at Plainmoor, dominating possession.

When Weymouth settled the Terras tested a shaky Gulls defence with Hall heading clear a Sean Shields corner.

Torquay then strung a lovely move together when forcing Ethan Ross into action, the Terras’ keeper pushing behind an Andrews shot after good work from Adam Randell.

But Torquay’s defence, including ex-Weymouth centre-back Sam Sherring, looked lacklustre and allowed Dallas a free run from box to box before the Gulls eventually shut off the danger.

Calvin Brooks nearly got the better of Sherring at a corner and Jake McCarthy aimed a tame free-kick at home custodian Covolan as Torquay continued to look vulnerable.

At the other end, Gary Johnson’s men were potent and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, scorer of the winner in December, tested Ross with a low volley from six yards.

Armani Little fired another chance wide before major hesitancy in defence led to Weymouth opening the scoring.

Ben Wynter was partly at fault, failing to clear the ball and allowing Dallas to run at Covolan, who recklessly rushed out and brought the Scot down for a penalty.

Dallas stepped up to fire through Covolan, who got a touch but was unable to keep it out.

Wynter nearly atoned for his error in stoppage time but was unable to beat Ross as Weymouth banked their lead into the break.

Johnson turned to his bench in the second half, bringing on experienced utility man Dean Moxey for Ryan Law.

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And the change nearly paid instant dividends when Moxey’s free-kick enabled Joe Lewis to blast against the bar and over from six yards.

Torquay, propelled by the impact of Moxey, rattled the woodwork for a second time in five minutes when Hall nodded Little’s corner behind off the bar.

If those chances had not sounded the alarm for Weymouth, the Gulls’ equaliser certainly did.

Danny Wright’s neat lay-off to Andrews was slammed home from 25 yards, scorching the turf as Ross was left helpless by the low bulleted effort.

As the Gulls’ monopoly of play wore on, strong appeals for a penalty were waved away when Lemonheigh-Evans went down in an aerial challenge with Dom Revan, who was awarded the foul.

Revan trudged off after treatment for a head injury but was able to continue as Weymouth came under serious pressure.

Morgan was well placed six yards out to block a Lemonheigh-Evans shot with the Gulls flooding forward in the last 15 minutes.

But seconds after Scott Boden and Billy Waters replaced Little and Wright, Torquay completed their comeback.

Andrews’ corner was on a plate for Lemonheigh-Evans who planted a firm header beyond Ross.

As Weymouth strived for an equaliser, Andy Robinson saw two efforts blocked as the Terras won a corner.

Ross came up but Weymouth could not create a clear chance as Torquay held out for a comeback win, doing the double over their Dorset opponents.

Torquay: Covolan, Wynter, Lemonheigh-Evans, Hall (Waters 82), Wright (Boden 82), Little, Andrews, Randell, Sherring, Law (Moxey 46), Lewis. Subs not used: MacDonald, Buse.

Terras: Ross, McCarthy, Thomson, Morgan, Robinson, Brooks, Dallas, Mensah, Revan, Harfield, Shields. Subs not used: Wakefield, Ngalo, Murray, Luque, Fonkeu.

Referee: Karl Evans