Dean Moxey: Torquay United defender hailed after late goal seals Hemel Hempstead win

Dean Moxey made his senior debut at Exeter City more than 20 years ago and has played in all of the top six tiers of English football

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson hailed veteran defender Dean Moxey after his late goal sealed a 3-2 win over Hemel Hempstead as the Gulls went second in National League South.

Moxey pounced in the 89th minute as Torquay got a fifth successive win.

Joe Iaciofano's sixth-minute penalty and a Kyle Ajayi goal six minutes later had put Hemel in command at Plainmoor.

But Ryan Hanson and Ethon Archer replied to make it 2-2 after 23 minutes before Moxey's late heroics.

"That was everything that he's about in that goal," Johnson said of the 37-year-old former Exeter City, Crystal Palace and Derby County defender.

"He's so committed in his actions, he wanted the lads to win that game.

"As the captain on the day he's come up with the goods that a captain needs to come up with."

With leaders Yeovil drawing 0-0 with Hampton and Richmond and Maidstone losing 5-1 at fellow high-fliers Worthing, Torquay went from fifth to second place and are now seven points behind Yeovil after 22 games.

"To get five wins on the trot in all competitions, and we always kept the faith that we had it in us, and now we've got to make it six, then seven, and then you are flying," Johnson told BBC Radio Devon.

"It's nice to have made a little bit more ground up on Yeovil, so I'm delighted."