GULLS GIVE GARY TIMELY PRESENT ON ANNIVERSARY

IN THE week that Gary Johnson celebrated his third anniversary in charge of Torquay United, the Gulls clinched their first home win of the season with a late winner from attacker Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

A game of few clear cut chances appeared destined to end goalless before Lemonheigh-Evans slotted home a cross from Dean Moxey in the 90th minute to seal the win for the hosts.

Johnson who famously locked managerial horns with his opposite number Phil Brown in the 2008 Championship Playoff final, where they took charge of Bristol City and Hull City respectively, expressed his delight that his side’s hard work had paid off.

“I thought he (Lemonheigh-Evans) was a big threat, a big thorn in their side and throughout the game there were a few that deserved a goal,” said Johnson. “It was a fantastic bit of play on the left hand side and (Dean) Moxey showed his Championship credentials. We’ve been working on crosses all week and me and Downesy (Aaron Downes) were pleased we won the game on the exact move that we’ve been working on.”

In contrast, Brown was left to reflect on a third successive defeat for his side.

“We just lack that little bit of commitment that we need to get out of the hole that we’re in at the moment. It’s been a bad week no doubt about it,” said Brown. “It doesn’t matter where you’re playing – whether you’re playing at Plainmoor or you’re playing at the Shay – you’ve got to wear the shirt with pride.”

The first chance of the game fell to the Gulls as Gabby Rogers, whose father Andy once played for Southend, curled a free-kick over the bar on ten minutes, after Abu Ogogo felled Lemonheigh-Evans.

The Shrimpers went close in the 16th minute when Josh Coulson connected with a Jack Bridge corner, but saw his header blocked on the line by Klaidi Lolos. Four minutes later, Rogers fired a long range effort over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, former Torquay loanee Rhys Murphy went close with a free-kick that went narrowly wide. Two minutes after the restart, Lolos teed up Danny Wright for a shot that was easily claimed by Southend keeper Steve Arnold.

Southend threatened in the 54th minute when Sam Dalby missed the target with a shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts then won a succession of corners which they failed to take full advantage of.

In the 90th minute, Moxey hit a low cross which found Lemonheigh-Evans, after it appeared to have eluded everyone in the penalty box, and the Welshman drilled home what proved to be the winner.