Match report: Torquay United 2, York City 1

IT might not be Mission Impossible quite yet but not even the intervention of a Torquay player called Tom Cruise could assist York City in their battle to beat the drop at the weekend.

The imaginatively-christened Cruise gave City a helping hand in Saturday’s six-pointer when he shoved Josh Carson over in the penalty box to earn himself a 72nd-minute red card and provide Richard Cresswell with the opportunity to mark his second debut for the visitors with a goal from the spot.

On-loan Sheffield United striker Cresswell’s 12-yard effort reduced the deficit to 2-1 but, despite playing with an extra man for more than 20 minutes, the second-bottom Minstermen could not find the equaliser that would have moved them a point from safety and kept the Gulls within striking distance in the fight for Football League survival.

Indeed, if Nigel Worthington is to provide a Hollywood-style happy ending to this most agonising soap opera of a season, then he must somehow instil some belief into strikers who look about as convincing in front of goal as Dev from Coronation Street does delivering a heartfelt soliloquy.

The recent records of Cresswell’s new attacking team-mates are shocking with Michael Rankine (none in 33), Jamie Reed (none in 17), Alex Rodman (none in 16), Matty Blair (one in 15), Ashley Chambers (none in 9) and Jason Walker (none in eight) having contributed just one goal in a staggering 98 collective appearances.

A lack of confidence and, just as significantly, composure saw Chambers and Blair once more squander excellent opportunities in the final third of the pitch at Plainmoor.

Following Elliot Benyon’s early goal for the hosts, Chambers should have levelled the scores with the simplest of headers on eight minutes but missed the target completely from six yards.

Then, after Cresswell had halved Torquay’s advantage following Ryan Jarvis’ 23rd-minute long-range strike, Blair wasted two promising late openings with poor crosses into the penalty box.

A point would not have flattered the visitors even disregarding the advantage offered by Cruise’s dismissal.

The performance in Devon was the best during Worthington’s four-game reign with a greater energy, tempo and purpose evident in the Minstermen’s display.

First-year professional Tom Platt’s introduction at half-time also seemed to address a season-long deficiency that dogged the team’s progress again during the opening 45 minutes on the English Riviera – the lack of a combative and physical presence in midfield.

City enjoyed more possession than their hosts throughout the first period but always looked vulnerable to swift counter attacks, especially through the central areas.

Consequently, Paddy McLaughlin was withdrawn at the break and Platt proved a more resilient adversary to press his claims for a full debut this weekend at Bristol Rovers.

Earlier, Alan Knill’s men had forged ahead when David McGurk headed away a Lee Mansell corner but Joss Labadie was afforded the time and space to return the ball into City’s penalty box. Benyon then scuffed a four-yard shot past City ’keeper Michael Ingham.

Within seconds, Chambers had headed wide when it looked easier to score after meeting John McGrath’s left-wing cross, but City were at least mounting a spirited response after falling behind.

Jarvis, though, doubled the lead midway through the half when he ran unchecked with the ball before sidestepping a McGrath challenge far too easily and firing a 25-yard shot inside a seemingly-deceived and motionless Ingham’s right-hand upright.

Encouragingly, City still refused to buckle with Carson firing a free-kick too high, Chris Smith testing Torquay ’keeper Michael Poke with a header and Blair having two hasty stabs at the home goal when one more considered finish might have brought greater reward.

Jarvis, though, could have claimed an ill-deserved third goal for the visitors on the stroke of half-time but his shot, charged down by Carson, was kept out by Ingham low to his left.

After the interval, Carson dragged a shot wide having burst through the left channel to collect Blair’s through ball.

Chambers also saw a curling effort loop inches over after deflecting off Joe Oastler’s head.

Torquay’s second-half threat was limited to a 25-yard Mansell half-volley that Ingham pushed around his right-hand post before Carson was nudged over in the box as he charged on to another forward pass from Blair.

Cresswell made no mistake from the spot, sidefooting into Poke’s bottom left-hand corner as the Gulls ’keeper dived in the opposite direction.

All that remained was to see if City could clinch a precious point by laying siege to the home goal but all that was mustered, despite Smith being sent upfield as an emergency striker, were two hopeful McGrath efforts.

The first, from 20 yards, was tipped over by Poke on 89 minutes and the second, in stoppage time, was sliced wide from the penalty spot region.

In between, Blair also impressed and infuriated in equal measure, charging back to win possession in his own half before haring down the right flank and then sending a needlessly rushed cross sailing over the crossbar.

Another trip to the south-west and a meeting with John Ward’s Bristol Rovers awaits this weekend before back-to-back home meetings against fellow strugglers Plymouth and Accrington that have taken on gargantuan importance.

With just six games left to play, the clock is counting down to 5pm on April 27 in box-office blockbuster fashion.

Having accepted his mission three weeks ago, Worthington must now prove it is possible to halt a run of 15 matches without a victory and preserve the Minstermen’s place among the country’s top 92 teams.

Match facts

Torquay United 2 (Benyon 6; Jarvis 22), York City 1 (Cresswell pen 72)

York City 

Michael Ingham 6 - Strangely rooted to the spot for Jarvis’ goal, but made amends with later saves from the same player and Mansell.

Dan Parslow 6 - Stuck to his task despite on-loan Sheffield United winger Chapell causing him the odd problem.

Chris Smith 7 - A display of controlled aggression helped ensure tricky customer Howe had a quiet afternoon.

David McGurk 7 - Got a boot in here and a head in there and took a booking for the team when Ingham played him into danger.

Jack O’Connell 7 - Made a seamless switch to left-back, which was vital given Fyfield’s erratic form.

Ashley Chambers 5 - End product continues to be more miss than hit, as illustrated by early header. Must keep believing and trying though.

John McGrath 6 - Struggled to get a grip in the middle of the park during the first half, but improved alongside the more physical Platt.

Paddy McLaughlin 5 - A passenger for large periods of the first half and continues to lack impact. His decline this term has been a real shame.

Josh Carson 7 - STAR MAN – looked dangerous on both flanks and must maintain his current standards until the end of the campaign.

Richard Cresswell 6 - Lacked nothing in desire and fight for the cause, but did not threaten a goal prior to his penalty.

Matty Blair 6 - Teed up two good chances for Carson – one leading to the penalty – but also frustrated at other times with final ball.

Subs: Tom Platt 7 – strong (for McLaughlin, 46). Not used: Arron Jameson, Jamie Reed, Jason Walker, David McDaid, Jamal Fyfield.

Torquay United

Michael Poke, Joe Oastler, Brian Saah, Angus MacDonald, Tom Cruise, Ryan Jarvis, Joss Labadie, Lee Mansell, Jordan Chapell (Billy Bodin, 83), Rene Howe, Elliot Benyon (Kevin Nicholson, 73). Subs not used: Aaron Downes, Damon Lathorpe, Martin Rice, Lloyd Macklin, Nathan Craig.

Star man: Saah – uncompromising at the heart of the home defence.

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

Rating: 8/10 – hard to argue with any of his cards or other decisions.

Booked: MacDonald 67, Cresswell 67, McGurk 82, Poke 87.

Sent off: Cruise 72.

Attendance: 2,871 (263 from York).

Shots on target: Torquay 4, City 5.

Shots off target: Torquay 4, City 5.

Corners: Torquay 3, City 4.

Fouls conceded: Torquay 13, City 12.

Offsides: Torquay 1, City 4.