Johnson’s plan changed by migrane

Gulls boss Gary Johnson was prevented from making a intended substitution during Saturday's FA Trophy win at Southern League Basingstoke Town – because defender Jamie Sendles-White suffered a migraine attack.

Johnson revealed: "Just before Jamie was due to come on, he said he suddenly didn't feel well and thought he had a migraine coming on. And he was right.

"It's the first time it's happened to him during a game, and he was OK later, but it meant we had to stop and have a rethink."

Manager Johnson was relieved to see his side, unchanged from the 4-1 NL South win over Concord Rangers, avoid a second upset against Basingstoke - Town had beaten United 3-0 in the FA Cup three years before - but he gained little more satisfaction from the win.

"We got through, and it was five good penalties, but after that I couldn't find a lot of positives," he said.

"The boys look a bit leggy, and we certainly weren't at our usual tempo.

"Basingstoke were young and enthusiastic, and sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition, whatever level they are, so congratulations to Terry Brown [Town manager]."

Instead of ordering his squad in for extra or even normal Monday training, Johnson decided to go the other way.

"I gave them until Tuesday off, because that was a group of lads that weren't quite right after the last two performances,” he said.

“I told them to go away for a couple of days and, hopefully, come back fresh and rested."