Evans has the last laugh as Crawley hold firm against Torquay

Before this match, Crawley Town’s manager Steve Evans had spoke about Torquay United’s chances of automatic promotion - and Paul Buckle’s apparent precarious job prospects should the Gulls lose out. Today’s result may well have consigned the Gulls to defeat on that front.

In a pulsating encounter at Plainmoor, it was Crawley who took the three points, with goals in each half from

Dannie Bulman and substitute Robbie Matthews all but ending Torquay’s promotion hopes, and in the process giving themselves a slim chance of making the playoff lottery.

The Scotsman is no stranger to controversy, of course, nor is he averse to mind-games with opposition managers. With tax evasions and refusals to shake other manager’s hands just some of the indiscretions to his name - Evans has built himself quite a reputation. And today he was at it again, gesturing and hurling abuse to the officials at every opportunity, and instructing his players to waste time whenever possible.

Clearly, Evans’ comments before the match had the desired effect. He had spoke of big budgets and the big expectations faced by Torquay prior to this match, and it appears his comments only added to the weight of expectation facing his opponents. From the kick-off his Crawley side looked the more lively - with his side outworking and out battling a clearly nervous Torquay, and his wingers proving to be a constant danger on the flanks.

So it proved for the opener. When Jamie Cook picked the ball up on the right touchline, there appeared to be little danger. However, the skilful winger had the beating of Gulls centre-back Chris Robertson on the edge of the box. His square pass to Bulman was perfectly measured, and the finish was slotted home coolly. A 3000 strong Plainmoor had been silenced.

Torquay responded immediately. Some good work from Blair Sturrock on the left hand channel kept alive what looked like a lost cause, and his persistance gave an unmarked Tim Sills the chance to even things up. His shot lacked accuracy, however, and fizzed well wide of former Gulls keeper Simon Rayner’s goal.

Half-time approached, and with that a big team talk was required from Paul Buckle. Only wins would do at this stage of the season, and his team responded in kind in the second half.

Indeed, it was constant pressure from Torquay - helped by a triple substituion on the hour mark - a signal of intent if there ever was one. It was substitutes Mustafa Carayol and Roscoe Dsane who came closest to breaking the deadlock - Carayol with a powerful effort that was tipped onto the crossbar after cutting inside from the left touchline, and Dsane with a shot that was tipped over by Rayner in the Crawley goal, who was clearly relishing his return to Plainmoor.

With Torquay committing so many players forward, a counter-attack was always likely. And in the dying minutes of the match, a swift Crawley move was finished by substitute Scott Matthews, who saw his powerful shot creep under goalkeeper Scott Bevan.

It was the least the visitors deserved, who have now beaten the league’s top two teams in the space of a week, and find themselves seven points from the playoffs with five games to play. As for Torquay, the dream of automatic promotion has now disappeared, and the playoffs are surely looming. And on today’s evidence, the prospect of Crawley over two legs is one they’d like to avoid. It’s a clash Evans would certainly relish.

Gulls ready to swoop as as the Blue Square Title race reaches it's climax

Months ago, it seemed impossible. Weeks ago, there was a glimmer of hope. Now, with just eight points in it and four games remaining - it appears that Torquay United are well and truly back in the hunt for the Blue Square Premier title. A 1-0 win over league leaders Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Monday night kept the Devonshire club’s hopes alive, and with 11 matches without defeat, it appears Paul Buckle’s side have found consistency and form at just the right time.

In what was billed as the Gulls biggest game of the season, it was the smallest player on the pitch; the diminutive winger Danny Stevens, who delivered the goal after ten minutes which gave Torquay hope, and left Burton looking nervously over their shoulders as the business end of the season approaches.

Of course, without such a bad start, the Gulls might not be in this position. After taking just five points from their opening seven games, questions were being asked about the side who came so desperately close to promotion last season, only to go down 5-2 on aggregate to local rivals Exeter City in the semi finals of the playoffs in such heartbreaking fashion.

Those questions were answered however, and in some style. Torquay proceeded to go on a 17 match unbeaten run; and in the process put themselves back in the promotion race. Indeed, if not for such a poor start, the Gulls may not have found themselves with so much to do.

On the contrary, Burton were suffering from no such hangover. In February promotion seemed certain, with some bookies already paying out on the Brewers as winners of the Blue Square Premier. A 19 point lead seemed unassailable, and most had given up on catching the Champions elect. It would take a mighty collapse to lose it now, wouldn’t it?

And so it’s proved. The departure of Nigel Clough was a blow, but with the experienced Roy McFarland taking over and immediately steadying the ship, the title seemed like a formality. Uncharacteristic defeats against the likes of Ebbsfleet and Sailsbury City marked the end of an impressive fun of form, however, and in the process gave their opponents hope. Burton weren’t quite so invincible any more.

Now, with just five games remaining, the pressure is well and truly on for Roy McFarland’s team. To say their run in is tough would be an understatement, with games against fellow promotion hopefuls Kidderminster and Histon to come, and a trip to Torquay again on the final day of the season.

And the Gulls are piling on the pressure. Just five points separate the two teams, with Torquay having a game in hand, too. They have the momentum which is so crucial at this stage of the season – with no loss in 11 games. Compare and contrast that run with Burton’s record of three wins in their last ten games, and it’s clear that the nerves are getting to them.

It’s still Burton’s title to lose, however. It’s all about how many points you have on the board at this stage of the season – something which the Gulls found out to their peril last season when they chased Aldershot for the title. Two more wins would probably see them over the line, although that’s easier said than done with games against an in-form Kidderminster and the season’s surprise package, Histon.

For Torquay, all they can do is keep winning. Their run-in is slightly more kind, with trips to Barrow and Sailsbury alongside tricky fixtures against the ever unpredictable Crawley Town and playoff hopefuls Stevenage. The Gulls have nothing to lose, though, and everything to gain. A final day showdown at Plainmoor would be a fitting way to end the season, with the winner taking all in front of the Setanta cameras.

Whatever happens, it promises to be a thrilling end to the season, that’s for sure.