Torquay United 1-1 Wrexham: Gulls relegated as Lee hits back for promoted visitors

Frank Nouble's opening goal was in vain for Torquay

Torquay United will play in National League South in 2023-24 after Elliot Lee's equaliser confirmed their relegation from the National League.

Frank Nouble beat Ben Foster as the hosts took the lead from Aaron Jarvis' whipped-in cross in the 52nd minute.

But Torquay's hopes of heavily beating promoted Wrexham ended as Elliot Lee hit back with 10 minutes remaining.

Earlier in the day Maidenhead United lost 4-0 at Gateshead, leaving Torquay with a faint hope of avoiding the drop.

They will join Yeovil Town, Scunthorpe United and Maidstone United in the next tier down next season.

From brink of EFL to regional football

Just two years ago Torquay were fighting with Sutton United for the National League title.

But since losing the 2021 promotion final to Hartlepool United on penalties they have been on a downward trajectory.

The break-up of that title challenging squad and an indifferent campaign last season turned into a nightmare this term.

They won just four league matches before the turn of the year, and, but for an exceptional five-game winning streak earlier this month would have been down weeks ago.

The club plan to stay fully professional in National League South next season, while manager Gary Johnson is aiming to stay on.

He got them out of that division three years ago and will hope to do the same in 12 months' time.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson:

"I was very pleased with the performance. It's very difficult when we'd had the celebrations and the release of tension [from promotion].

"But I thought in the main it was a decent performance - we could have scored four or five goals really; the final ball probably let us down.

"But all-in-all we asked the lads to finish the season in a professional manner and I think we've done that."