Freak goal spoils the opening day for Torquay United boss Jimmy Ball

Just over 48 hours after being appointed Torquay United manager, Jimmy Ball was thrust into the cauldron of a Dagenham & Redbridge now under celebrity ownership and management.

While the home spotlight was on new investor KSI, the YouTube sensation, and manager Andy Carroll, the former England international, United’s storyline was based on Ball and his painfully depleted line-up.

Suspensions to Matt Worthington and Will Tizzard added to a lengthy injury list for Ball, who was only able to name two senior players on the bench alongside three U18s.

In that context, the Gulls performed admirably in the East London sunshine and certainly did enough to earn a point from a stodgy game, but were ultimately beaten by George Marsh scoring direct from a corner with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Ball handed a debut to striker Deon Moore, swiftly signed after his departure from Maidstone, while Matt Carson was placed in an unfamiliar role at right-back following his recall from a loan stint at Weymouth, and the duo were arguably the best two United performers on the day.

There was very little in the form of goalmouth action in the first period, Seb Stacey ensuring parity for the Gulls with a brave point-blank save from Stan Leech after a cross was whipped into the near post.

At the other end, while Moore worked tirelessly to disrupt the Daggers, Sonny Fish showed little impact on the right and Dylan Morgan well shackled on the left, although Morgan did have United’s brightest moment of the half, fizzing over a low cross that just evaded the arriving runners.

The best chance for a United breakthrough came just after the hour, when Moore bustled past the physical pair in the Dagenham defence and had a brief glimpse of goal, but instead of shooting, he chose a sideways pass to Matt Jay, who was crowded out in the penalty area.

The decisive moment arrived with 16 minutes remaining. After winning a series of corners, Dagenham finally capitalised when Marsh’s delivery from the flag evaded Stacey and curled into the far side of the net.

United responded with urgency and nearly snatched a late equaliser. A frantic goalmouth scramble in the closing minutes saw Jay, Ed Palmer and Dyer all come close, while Jay later tested Daggers goalkeeper Elliot Howes with a powerful long-range effort. Moore was inches away from converting the rebound, but the hosts held firm.

Attention now turns quickly to Tuesday night, when Ball takes charge at Plainmoor for the first time as Torquay United face league leaders Dorking Wanderers.