MEMORY LANE

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

Steve looks back 19 years to a heart-breaking loss in Essex

COLCHESTER UNITED 2-1 TORQUAY UNITED 07/05/2005

Just under a year on from the euphoria of their promotion success against Southend, 364 days to precise, Torquay United headed to Essex again for another final day decider – this time in very different circumstances.

The Gulls needed a point against Colchester United to survive in League One at the expense of either Milton Keynes Dons or Oldham Athletic. The Dons were hosting Tranmere Rovers, whilst the Latics faced Bradford City.

United had dragged themselves back into contention for survival with four successive wins in the build-up to their clash with the U’s, MK Dons (1-0), Port Vale (1-0), Oldham (2-1) and Blackpool (2-0), and confidence was high that they could get the required result.

Having visited grounds like Hillsborough, Valley Parade and Ashton Gate during the course of the campaign, a trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest – who had just been relegated from the Championship – awaited the Gulls if they could retain their status as a League One club.

A year earlier against Southend, Torquay had raced into a two-goal inside the opening 11 minutes, but on this occasion they struggled to get going. Goalkeeper Andy Marriott – the seventh player to appear between the sticks for United during the campaign – was called into action early on, making two saves in the first five minutes.

Then came the news that both MK Dons and Oldham were winning.

Meanwhile, back at Layer Road, the Gulls managed to find the back of the net themselves through skipper Craig Taylor. Sadly for the travelling Gulls’ fans, his effort was ruled out as referee Kevin Friend had already blown his whistle for a foul by Taylor’s fellow centre back Steve Woods.

Torquay’s first genuine attempt on goal didn’t come until the 39th minute, when Alex Russell chested the ball down before producing an effort that missed the target.

Four minutes later, the Gulls were punished when Neil Danns put Gareth Williams away down the left hand side for the U’s. Williams’ low cross fell kindly in the middle to Danns, who produced a shot that went under Marriott and bounced over the line before he could retrieve it.

In the second half, United nearly capitalised on a mistake by U’s keeper Aidan Davison in the 53rd minute – however they were unable to make it count. Davison’s throw to right-back Sam Stockley was intercepted by Russell but his left-footed shot flew wide.

Gulls’ boss Leroy Rosenior then started ringing the changes, as – in the space of nine minutes – Tony Bedeau and Zema Abbey entered the fray in place of Leon Constantine and Darren Garner respectively.

United were lucky not to fall further behind as Marino Keith connected with a cross from Danns and volleyed against the post.

With 20 minutes to go, the travelling Torquay faithful finally had something to cheer about as news came through from the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes that Tranmere had equalised against Milton Keynes Dons.

On 81 minutes, the Gulls finally carved out a genuine chance when Martin Phillips picked out United’s 16-goal leading scorer Bayo Akinfenwa with a cross from the left, but the burly front man headed wide.

With one minute to go, Colchester doubled their lead when Keith latched onto a through pass from U’s midfielder Kevin Watson before clipping the ball past Marriott.

Torquay finally managed to pull a goal back in injury time through a free-kick from Craig Woodman, but the real question on everyone’s mind was what the final score in Milton Keynes would be.

To everyone’s huge disappointment, the Dons had managed to score a late winner to beat Tranmere 2-1 – thus sending the Gulls down on goal difference, only a year earlier goal difference had helped them to secure promotion.

United had finished the campaign with 51 points, a figure that would have guaranteed their safety in almost any other season.

Had they managed to stay up, as well as the prospect of playing Nottingham Forest, Torquay would also have had the prospect of West Country derbies with Bristol City, Swindon Town, Bournemouth and newly promoted Yeovil Town to look forward to – Yeovil having achieved promotion by winning the League Two title.

Instead they would be renewing acquaintances with the likes of Chester City, Darlington, Northampton Town and Rochdale.

Torquay (4-5-1): Andy Marriott; Matt Hockley, Steve Woods, Craig Taylor, Craig Woodman; Martin Phillips, Darren Garner (Zema Abbey 66), Alex Russell, Kevin Hill, Leon Constantine (Tony Bedeau 57); Bayo Akinfenwa