(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
By Jon Couch
KEVIN NICHOLSON believes his Torquay United side were good value for a point at Aldershot Town on Tuesday night – but reckons they showed enough to raise a few eyebrows among the National League promotion chasers.
The Gulls followed up their hard-fought 0-0 home draw with title favourites Tranmere Rovers on Saturday with a slender 3-2 defeat at last season’s play-off semi-finalists Aldershot Town on Tuesday night.
But Nicholson is adamant his men were denied a precious point at the EBB Stadium after Jamie Reid’s header was controversially ruled out by referee Alan Young following lengthy consultation with his assistant.
“We should have nicked a point,” Nicholson said. “Aldershot played all the football but we’ve matched them stride for stride, dug in and scored three good goals, although only two counted.
“In the end we’ve been let down by decisions that we can’t affect but there’s no point whinging about it, it’s not going to change now.
“I’m proud of my boys, I’m proud of how hard they have worked and the fact they didn’t allow things going against them to get them down.
“They are fuming in the changing room as you would expect but it’s my job to clear that from their minds and make sure they are ready for a game [at Gateshead] on Saturday.”
With a new-look side in tow, Nicholson knew the opening week of the season would provide a huge test for his young Gulls side, but he’s pleased with the way his men are shaping up so far.
“We could have easily have beaten Tranmere, who are a very good side and could have easily taken a point here,” he added. “We go to another very good side in Gateshead on Saturday but we are a match for all of them.
“Two games in, I’m not disappointed at all. We’ve shown enough but I don’t think we have yet played the football we can play but the other side of it is fantastic.
“I’ve seen enough in pre-season and the first two games to know that we are going to be a force this year, I just need to know the lads have got that defeat out of their system so we can move on.”
