Torquay went back to the top of the Blue Square Premier tonight after a hard fought win against York City. The Gulls went into the match with an unchanged starting line-up from the Stevenage match and started the match brightly. Ishmael Welsh got off to a flyer, skinning the York full back before crossing for Tim Sills to test the 'keeper with a header from 12 yards. Lee Phillips had a very impressive night and nearly opened the scoring with a strong run, charging through three tackles, before sliding a shot just wide of the right hand post. A lively match with both sides trying to attack at every opportunity was halted after 10 minutes when Chris Zebroski received a cut to the head which required four stitches and a few minutes back in the chaging room.

The firts 25 minutes were pretty even but United produced the better attacking opportunities without creating a goal. York came back in to the match as the half progressed but Simon Rayner wasn't tested with anything that he couldn't deal with comfortably, in fact his handling was excellent all through the match. Chris Hargreaves picked up an early booking but this didn't stop him from giving an excellent display in midfield alongside Lee Mansell. Both sides were having trouble hitting the target and plenty of shots flew above the repective goalkeepers crossbars but, although the score remained 0-0, a goal didn't seem far away in this match. Chris Zebroski seemed unaffected by his early head injury and continued to give ex-Gull Robinson a hard time right through the half. The match was turning into small battles around the pitch with Welsh giving Craddock plenty to think about and Tim Sills having a running battle with Kelly. York's biggest threat, Sodje, was being looked after by Steve Woods and Chris Todd and they weren't giving him many chances to trouble Simon Rayner. United could look back on a first half with some satisfaction, a quality ball and finish was the only thing really missing.

As we all know, Torquay's second half performances this season have been very strong and tonight's second period started perfectly. Zebroski again went at Robinson and won a corner off the fullback. Kevin Nicholson took an inswinging corner from the right and this time struck it toward the near post where Chris Todd had shrugged off his marker and headed home from six yards. Another set peice goal which United work so hard on. United now had control of the game and the questions were all York's to answer, what could they do, if anything, to turn the match around. In fact it was United who were looking more likely to score the second goal of the match, Lee Phillips sent Zebroski through but his shot was pulled wide. Tim Sills showed great strength just a few minutes later when he turned both the home sides' centre halves and curled a shot just wide from 20 yards out. As the match entered it's latter stages York changed formation and played with three at the back to try and force the issue but United weren't looking like they were going to be opened up. The match could have been over earlier with the chances Torquay created after the goal but this was a night that the teams defensive strengths were there for all to see. The addition of Matt Hockley and Kevin Hill from off the bench did nothing but help to shut up shop and, although the ball was given away a little too much in the closing moments, it was always going to take something special to bring York a goal and tonight wasn't that night for the home side.

When you hardly notice the referee it usually means he has had a decent night, Tony Bedeau was unlucky to get booked but apart from that Mr. Langford handled a competitive match well. There have been many worse performances from the men in the middle in Torquay games this season !