Emotions at both ends of the table

So after eight months and 43 games, two minutes was all it took... two minutes and two goals. The final nails in Torquay United’s National League coffin were being tapped in by Lincoln City’s Harry Anderson and Sam Habergham, and come tomorrow, fellow relegation strugglers Braintree could well bring the hammer down on them for good. It was the story of Good Friday; the Imps celebrating a 2-1 win and a five-point gap that could see them wrap up the title on Easter Monday at Gateshead, while Kevin Nicholson’s men are now facing the trapdoor into National League South after being on course for a most unlikely three points that would have seen them edge closer to safety.

It really couldn’t have gone any worse for Torquay, with The Iron, York, Woking and Maidstone all bagging wins. You feel it’s written in the stars for some clubs when it comes to their battle to beat the drop, but Friday’s defeat, and the manner of it, makes it hard to think the footballing gods aren’t turning their backs on the Gulls when they need them the most.

We have all at some time felt the emotions of relegation. If you haven’t, then you really have had it handed to you on a plate. For a fan, it consumes you, sapping away at your energy. As for the club, there are livelihoods at stake. Behind the scenes, jobs and careers are on the line as the moneymen battle to balance the books to counter the losses. Meanwhile, the players, some already facing the uncertain months of summer where contracts are yet to be finalised, face the harsh reality that a footballing dream is coming to an end. Going from full-time to part-time and having to find new employment.

I truly feel for the fans and players of Torquay, who have endured a turbulent time off the park. As I do for Southport – whose fate was sealed on Friday when they lost at Dover – and North Ferriby, all but down after spending one season in Non-League’s top-flight. The bottom line is these clubs have not won enough games, but they have certainly won plenty of friends.

As for Lincoln, they have won the hard battles when they needed to, and their Good Friday comeback win against the Gulls was a reflection of that. Not only have they taken six points off both Tranmere and Forest Green, but they have approached every game with the same level of detail. There is a no-nonsense mentality at the club. Some people questioned the impact their FA Cup run would have, but Danny and Nicky Cowley never lost sight of the big picture and as boring as it sounds, the focus was always on the next game. If anything, the media attention they received and weight of expectation at the top of the table only served to spur them on and when they were challenged – as they were when Mark Cooper’s Rovers replaced them at the top recently – they stepped up with a degree of nonchalant ease.

It’s hard to see a way back for Tranmere now, but they have contributed to one of the most memorable title races in years and for a neutral (which I most certainly am), I really hope the race is still running for next week’s issue.