Torquay defeat leaves Romans on relegation brink

Hopes that the last-gasp A4 Derby victory on Good Friday would herald a change in fortunes were dashed in Devon this afternoon as City lost 4-1 to Torquay United to leave them on the brink of relegation from the National League South.

The promotion-chasing hosts got off to the perfect start when an 11th minute deflected shot from Evans looped beyond the despairing dive of Charlie Binns. City stunned the sizable home support eight minutes later when they equalised. A misplaced pass gave Jordan Alves a sight of goal 20-yards out and he found the corner of the net with a low drive. This was as good as it would get for City. On 34 minutes Morgan collected the ball from a short corner and his low cross fortunately evaded everyone to find the corner of the net.

Into the second half the Gulls took just three minutes to increase their lead. Morgan cut in from the left flank and this time there was no doubting his intention as he curled a great shot past Binns. Just before the hour mark Morgan completed his hat-trick. Ex-City midfielder Dan Hayfield’s initial shot was well blocked but the ball dropped kindly for Morgan to dispatch into the roof of the net. Owen Windsor should have done better when unmarked at the back post but elected to try to bring the ball down rather than head toward goal six minutes later. City finally enjoyed some luck on 73 minutes when Dolan’s shot struck the post. Reubin Sheppard dragged a shot wide to deny City a late consolation goal but the damage was long since done.