Torquay let two-goal lead slip

Opening match ends in draw

Torquay United’s National League South campaign got off to the best possible start at Dover as they raced into a 2-0 lead, but Gary Johnson’s Gulls could not hang on to their lead and had to be content with one point when three seemed within their grasp.

Manager Johnson made just once change for the trip to the Crabble, bringing in Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins Davies in place of the injured Jack Stobbs. Otherwise United fielded the same XI as they had across their series of pre-season friendlies.

The Gulls took the lead after just four minutes when new Dover signing Chevron McLean turned a fierce Lewis Collins cross into his own net, and striker Brad Ash had hit the Dover bar by the time United made it 2-0 in the 21st minute.

Skipper Asa Hall steered the ball into the net after a good build-up down the right hand side involving Brett McGavin and Jenkins Davies.

Torquay would have been hoping to push on and secure the game, but the home side responded strongly.

Gulls' keeper Mark Halstead saved well from Zidane Sutherland but George Nikaj pulled a goal back for Dover just before the break with an effort that went in off the post.

The home side got stronger as the weather got worse, and they pulled level in the 65th minute through Roman Charles-Cook, whose clever finish came after a move down the right wing.

Ash almost saved the day for Torquay deep into injury time, but his shot was well saved.