EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 4 TORQUAY UNITED 2  - United shocker in Sussex as they lose to bottom club

For the second time in 11 days Torquay United suffered a numbing defeat away to the  National League South’s bottom side when managerless Eastbourne Borough pulled off a major  shock at wet and windy Priory Lane.

First, it was Chippenham Town who beat Paul Wotton’s men (1-0) on February 10. 

Then, after more points were dropped at home to Maidenhead United (1-1) at Plainmoor last  Saturday, the Gulls blew it again in Sussex.  

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton equalised George Alexander’s early opener for the struggling Sports.  

But instead of following up with the conditions in their favour in the second half, United conceded  more goals by Alexander, Arthur Grout and, in stoppage-time, Matt Burgess.  

Their only consolation was an own-goal by Borough goalkeeper Jamie Searle.  What made it all the more frustrating was nearly all Torquay’s promotion rivals also dropped points.  

As well as sacking team boss Tommy Widdrington, Eastbourne had seen the departure of two  players – goalie Woody Williamson recalled by Ipswich Town and forward Josh Anifowose sold to NL  Premier club Gateshead for an undisclosed fee.  

United, who had confirmed loan moves to Weymouth for goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott (28 days) and  left-back Matt Carson (end of season), made three changes. 

When the squad travelled, in the equivalent of a school bus because of mechanical issues to their  usual vehicle, leading scorer Jordan Young was left behind with a foot injury.  

Kieran Wilson came into the attack, fellow Exeter City loanee Ed James made his debut at centre back for Ed Palmer and Wotton also recalled Jordan Thomas at right-back. 

Not for the first time, the Gulls were slower out of the traps and James Hamon had already saved  from Burgess before Borough took the lead in the fifth minute.  

They were slow to react to a free-kick, then failed to deal with a cross and Alexander helped himself to one of his trademark ‘poacher’ goals... 0-1. 

Indeed Torquay, with the new pairing of James and Dreyer under visible pressure, were lucky not to  fall two goals behind in the 12th minute.  

Veteran Borough midfielder Craig Eastmond beat Munashe Sundire, set up Kai Corbett and he sent a  good chance wide.  

Moments later United punished that miss.  

Clever work by Louis Dennis was the key, but Lo-Everton then produced great control cutting in from  the left before finishing coolly into the bottom corner of the net... 1-1. 

Eastbourne, who had the weather behind them, always looked lively on the break. 

That was underlined when Hamon had to pull out an excellent strong-handed save from the  dangerous Burgess in the 35th minute. 

But the equaliser had settled Torquay nerves, they grew more confident on the ball and they looked  the likelier scorers for the rest of the first half. 

Lo-Everton twice and Wilson went close to grabbing the lead. 

Gulls fans were expecting their side to dominate in the second half conditions, but instead it was  Borough who adapted better.  

Wotton threw on winger Dylan Morgan for midfielder Sundire, but in the 60th minute United  stabbed themselves in the foot.  

There was a misunderstanding between James and Dreyer on a through-ball, Alexander went clear  and did his stuff...1-2. 

Wotton immediately went for broke with a triple substitution.  

Dennis, Wilson and Worthington all made way for Cooke, Fish and Jay.  

But those changes hadn’t had time to settle before Eastbourne midfielder Grout made it 3-1 in the  72nd minute.  

With 15 minutes to go it was Palmer for James as United were forced to throw caution to the wind.  

Fish sliced wide when he should have done better, but it was an embarrassing mistake by home  keeper Searle which threw the Gulls a lifeline in the 81st minute.  

Searle dropped a harmless high ball under no pressure and spilled it over his line...2-3. 

Just a point would have been something in the circumstances, but United didn’t test Searle as much  as they should have done before referee Chay Hathway signalled seven minutes of stoppage-time. 

But even in that extra period it wasn’t United who scored, it was home forward Burgess who made it  4-2! 

Eastbourne Borough (4-5-1): Searle; Quick, Phipps, Lintott (Taylor 89), Pitbaldo; Grout, Burgess,  Eastmond, May (Trusty 81), Corbett; Alexander; subs not used – Hobden (GK), Byrd, Fairnie,  Armitage, Anokye.  

Booked: Eastmond 47.  

Torquay United (4-3-1-2): Hamon; Thomas, James (Palmer 75), Dreyer, Foulston; Worthington (Jay  65), Sundire (Morgan 52), Hayfield; Lo-Everton; Dennis (Cooke 65), Wilson (Fish 65); subs not used – Hatch, Seedhouse-Evans (GK). 

Booked: Foulston 90+1. 

Referee: Chay Hathway (Suffolk). 

Attendance: 1,145.