Gulls' winning run is halted by late penalty
The Gulls took the lead through Scott Rendell just past the hour mark and it looked as if they would build on their lead rather than fall to defeat. However, Liam Feeney equalised for the Cherries in the 85th minute before Brett Pitman won the game from the spot in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The striker had won the spot-kick himself after a push in the back from Torquay defender Lee Mansell prompted referee Jarnail Singh to point to the spot and halt the Gulls' recent ascent up the table, following their good recent form.
Torquay manager Paul Buckle's only change from the side that beat Hereford 1-0 on Boxing Day came up front. There was still no place for long-time skipper Chris Hargreaves as Tyrone Thompson partnered Nicky Wroe in centre midfield once again. Elliot Benyon had to settle for a place on the bench, with Rendell coming into the starting XI.
However, the wealth of attacking options at the Gulls' disposal failed to translate into another one of those free-scoring performances their supporters have enjoyed of late. The opening half in particular was hardly a classic. Both sides squandered the few opportunities they created. On the rare occasions when the final ball was good, the finish failed to measure up.
The first chance of the match fell to Chris Zebroski. Torquay left-back Adam Smith robbed winger Feeney on the edge of the Bournemouth penalty area and squared the ball back for his team-mate. However, Zebroski's shot was saved by home 'keeper Shwan Jalal, and, although Thompson reacted first to the rebound outside the box, the follow-up strike was sliced well wide.
Talented youngster Jake Thomson was perhaps the only source of entertainment in the opening 45 minutes, as his run at the heart of the home defence caused problems. After one penetrating run he was brought down as he approached the Bournemouth penalty area, Singh played advantage, and Smith followed up, drilling a low shot which Jalal did well to block.
The hosts had their first meaningful attack in the 16th minute when Feeney broke free down the right but, with two team-mates breaking into the box, he opted to take the shot at goal himself and blasted the ball high over the bar, bringing an icy glare from his team-mates that more than matched the cold snap.
It took another 20 minutes for the next attempt on goal to arrive. The Gulls failed to clear a long throw into the box from Feeney, with right-back Mansell nodding the ball to Alan Connell on the edge of the box; he lost his footing but the ball was eventually spun back into the box, where Pitman forced Torquay 'keeper Michael Poke into his first save from a header.
The half was summed up by Smith's burst from deep five minutes before the break – he showed good determination and skill to reach the edge of the penalty area – but his subsequent shot was sliced horribly wide, trickling out of play for a throw-in.
The second half began in more lively fashion. First, a free-kick from Pitman came within a few feet of putting the Cherries in front, then Zebroski had an even better opportunity to put the Gulls ahead as he met Thomson's cross from the left. His first touch was just a bit loose as he took the ball down on the penalty spot and Jalal bravely saved.
Torquay got their reward for a decent start to the second half in the 64th minute. Mansell stayed in the Bournemouth box after a raid down the right and, although Bournemouth cleared initially, he was perfectly placed to steer the ball into the path of Rendell as it came back into the box. The striker made no mistake, guiding his finish into the bottom right corner with his instep.
Bournemouth responded reasonably well, upping their game considerably. Substitute Steve Fletcher went close with a 25-yarder that brought a fine one-handed save from Poke. Then, a weaving run from skipper Danny Hollands caused even more problems, with Poke coming to the rescue again.
The Gulls tried to catch the hosts on the break with another Thomson cross just too high for Rendell at the far post. However, the writing was on the wall and the equaliser came in the 85th minute when Anton Robinson won possession in midfield and slid a perfectly weighted pass into the box for Feeney, who drilled the ball across Poke in the far left corner of the net.
A great run down the right from substitute Benyon nearly put the Gulls in front again. He twisted and turned before drilling a low cross which Bournemouth did well to block at the near post. Another run down the opposite flank from Smith nearly provided even greater reward. He pulled the ball back for Rendell, but defender Jason Pearce got a vital block.
However, disaster struck for the Gulls when Mansell shoved Pitman in the box. Singh pointed to the penalty spot and Pitman gleefully accepted the late Christmas gift, burying the ball in the bottom-right corner in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time.
Torquay's Scott Rendell celebrates his goal with team-mate Nicky Wroe (right) at Dean Court
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