GULLS CLAIM POINTS WITH 95TH-MINUTE WINNER

Barnet 0 v 1 Torquay Utd

Barnet fans were left frustrated as their side were made to pay for failing to take their chances by Lee Thorpe's 95th-minute winner.

With both sides tipped to struggle again this year it was no surprise that neither provided the necessary creativity to liven up a poor first half.
The only shot on target came in the 40th minute when Martin Phillips crossed for Micky Evans but the formter Plymouth striker headed straight at Lee Harrison.

Barnet should have taken the lead at the start of the second half when Liam Hatch found Graham in space but his low shot was saved by Nathan Abbey.

The Bees missed two late chances as Magno Vieira's shot was well turned away by Abbey, who then parried a drive from Tresor Kandol.

And Barnet were made to pay at the death when Paul Warhurst's sloppy back pass enabled Thorpe to poke the ball past Harrison and slot into an empty net.

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ATKINS ADMITTED HIS SIDE WERE SLIGHTLY FORTUNATE

Barnet 0 v 1 Torquay Utd

Torquay boss Ian Atkins admitted his side had been slightly fortunate to take three points from Barnet at Underhill after a 95th-minute winner from Lee Thorpe.

Thorpe capitalised on a poor back-pass by Paul Warhurst to poke the ball past Lee Harrison and slot it into an empty net, much to the delight of the travelling fans.

Atkins said: "A draw would have been a fair result. They had a lot of possession as we kept giving the ball away but they only really had three shots of note at the end.

"We worked our socks off all game but didn't provide much quality. When we did push them back we created the two best chances of the game.

"We got away with it a bit but we've got experienced players who are vital to have in situations like this.

"We know we can play a lot better than this and we have to make sure in future that we don't chase the ball as much as we did because we were tired out there."

Barnet boss Paul Fairclough had warned his players at half-time that they could be caught on the counter attack but even he was stunned by the last-gasp winner.

He said: "It was very cruel and a classic smash and grab. They had very little interest in scoring and tried not to lose the game. That can be a good tactic away from home and especially in the first game of the season. But the result is certainly not a reflection of the game.

"I've got to look at what's gone on over the 95 minutes. There was some good stuff from us and we deserved at least a point, probably three, but we've paid the price for making a late error on the edge of our 18 yard box.

"Lee Thorpe took his chance well and we have to give credit to Torquay."