Draws will not be enough for Torquay United in the promotion quest

Whatever else they see on Tuesday night, in person at Twerton Park or via live TV coverage, Torquay United fans are guaranteed a side going all out for victory over Bath City.

Too many draws, which manager Paul Wotton believes cost the Gulls dear in their near-miss last season, will not be enough to go one better this time.

There’s a competitive bunch of contenders gathering at the top of the table – United (4th) are still four points behind leaders Hornchurch.

And then there’s Worthing.

The Rebels have embarked on a sensational run since the return of their former manager Adam Hinshelwood.

Eleven wins in their last 12 league games have been interrupted only by a 3-2 defeat at Plainmoor five weeks ago.

Worthing (2nd) host Dorking Wanderers (3rd) on Tuesday and, if they win that one, it’s hard to see too many opponents upsetting them in the next few weeks.

So only a similar run is likely to keep pace with them, before United go to Woodside Road on February 24.

Wotton is confident that his increasingly fit squad is strong enough to take the fight to anyone, but that all comes down to goals scored.

United dominated Tonbridge Angels at home and AFC Totton away recently, failed to make it count and came away with nothing.

Louis Dennis missed a clear early chance at Totton (0-1), but took a more difficult one after six minutes against a better Weston-super-Mare side on Boxing Day – and then another in a vital 3-2 victory.

It took Dennis to 13 goals this season, one more than Jordan Young, and that sort of marksmanship is likely to prove all-important from now on.

With centre-forward Cody Cooke back from injury, and midfielders Matt Worthington and Munashe Sundire close behind, Wotton shouldn’t be short of options.

United would normally have expected to run into three former Plainmoor players at Twerton.

But centre-back Ollie Tomlinson and midfielder Will Jenkins-Davies are both recovering from injuries, leaving striker Brad Ash to face his old club.

And the Romans may also be without their recent signing Harry Pell from Cheltenham Town after he had to withdraw in the first half of their 3-2 defeat at Chippenham Town on Boxing Day.

Tuesday’s referee is Gary Parsons from Lymington, Hampshire.

Meanwhile, two former Plainmoor figures are tackling life in and out of work.

Ex-Gulls boss Gary Johnson is preparing to take Taunton Town to local rivals Tiverton Town, managed by his old United captain Asa Hall, on Saturday.

Johnson celebrated an eventful 2-1 home win over Gloucester City at the weekend after dropping into the Southern League Premier at the age of 69.

And Darren Moore, who began a distinguished playing career as a trainee and young pro at Torquay in the early 1990s, has been sacked by Port Vale.

Former WBA, Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town manager Moore, led Vale to promotion last season, but has paid the price for a struggling first half to this season.