Run and fight is the bare minimum Jimmy Ball expects from his Torquay United team

The first game for Jimmy Ball as manager of Torquay United ended in a 1-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge but there were plenty of positives to take home to Plainmoor.

The Gulls started the game with just one senior outfield player on the bench, as Ball grapples with a crippling injury list and suspensions in the squad, but United never once used any excuses in a performance full of effort and commitment.

Ultimately, defeat came down to a goal scored direct from a corner on 75 minutes and the end product in attack wasn’t quite there to rescue a point.

“It’s not what anyone wanted, obviously, and a hard one to take because the goal was poor from our point of view, shouldn’t go in direct from a corner,” said Ball.

“We just needed a bit more quality with the final ball, end product and getting shots off, which we didn’t do enough, but the players didn’t give up in a squad that is light and struggling. They kept running and had a right go at the end, which is what I ask from them.

“We lacked a bit of quality at one end and then got done with something really poor at the other end.

“We couldn’t change anything, had to put on Sam Dreyer, who is technically still injured, but we ran and fought, stuck together and gave absolutely everything, which is what I will judge them on. If we keep doing that until the end of the season, it’s going to be exciting. For the players to run and fight is the bare minimum you expect.

“The fans were amazing, they never stopped all game and I put that down to the fact their players didn’t stop either. We’re all disappointed with the result but we showed some guts and spirit.

“The fans show the size of the football club with the love and the passion they have, which is all we can ever ask for. They were so positive and I’m gutted we couldn’t give them something to drive home with.”