Downes recognises importance of Torquay’s Easter fixtures

37-year-old midfielder Asa Hall with 38-year-old Dean Moxey in defence, but the pair laid on a masterclass in the art of keeping things tight – and the clean sheet was just as important as Hall’s 28th-minute goal from the penalty spot.

Downes said: “It was an important win, that’s for sure, and it was a much-needed one after two disappointing results. The players deserve a lot of credit for the way they handled themselves on the day – but we know there is still work to be done.”

Talking about Hall, Downes, who is only six months older than the club captain, said: “He is a great footballer and a great leader.”

Hall has stood on the sidelines helping out Downes for the previous five games of the interim manager’s stewardship, but last week, it was decided he was fit enough following an injury to start again, and youth academy manager Robbie Herrera was brought into the dugout.

Downes said: “We felt that we needed him back in the team and that was another reason why getting Robbie in was important, and he did fantastic on the day.

“It doesn’t surprise me how well he did and it was something we were comfortable doing. He looked great, he and Mox formed a great partnership and it was the bedrock for a clean sheet and a much-needed three points for us.”

Looking ahead, away at Yeovil will be tough. But Downes said: “At the same time, it is the first time we are going into a game as underdogs, for a long time.

“I’s nice to have that, where everyone is not expecting us to go there and win six-nil.

“Having that underdog tag sometimes can help you. There’s pressure on them, they are getting closer to the title so the pressure is on them to go and perform, so it will be nice to go there and have a little less pressure on the boys.”

Downes added: “We will still ourselves have pressures, but at the same time we know we can go there and get a result, so yeah, I am looking forward to it.”

Both games on Friday and Monday are 3pm kick-offs.