Wotton defends 'hoofball' as Torquay stay unbeaten

Cody Cooke's goal ensured Torquay United remain unbeaten in their last seven games

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton says he did not mind that his side played 'hoofball' to get their 1-0 win over Bath City.

After a goalless first half Wotton brought on a second striker in Cody Cooke as his side adopted a more direct style of play.

The decision worked as Cooke got the only goal midway through the second half against his former club.

The victory moved the Gulls up to fifth in National League South, three points off leaders Worthing with six games to play.

"I couldn't give two hoots what anyone says, we've got to do what we've got to do to win a game of football and the game today that ball was not going to move across the pitch perfectly," Wotton explained to BBC Radio Devon.

"First half I felt like we were doing that, we were playing a little bit too short, especially across the back and what it does is it encourages the press.

"Bath came here to press the life out of us, fair play them, but it encourages the press because when your touch is jumping up they're on you.

"What it does is it makes them feel like they're on top in the game and it makes people nervous and we had to take that out of the game, which we did."

The win keeps the Gulls in title contention, although leaders Worthing have a game in hand despite losing 2-0 at relegation threatened Welling United.

It also give Torquay an eight-point buffer between themselves and Weston-super-Mare, who occupy the first position outside the play-off spots.

"It wasn't a game high on quality. It was in many ways a very typical end of season game on a difficult surface," added Wotton.

"We had to lift the crowd and once we scored the crowd were right up and with us and without tempting fate I felt pretty comfortable at 1-0

"But it's a really good day for us."