Despite being under pressure for the majority of the game Bromley held out to win their second match in a row.

They take another step closer to secure the magic 51 points to confirm their National League status for another season thanks to a great display from Alan Julian in goal and some wasteful Torquay finishing.

Bromley started brightly, a Blair Turgott cross was tipped over the bar by Brendan Moore and Jack Holland headed the resulting corner wide.

Play was then held up to remove a cat from the pitch before Jordan Higgs went close soon after with a curling effort that just missed the far post, before The Ravens were literally handed the lead on 13 minutes.

Brandon Hanlan and Turgott combined down the right to set up Dave Martin who controlled the ball with his back to goal and turned in the box, but his progress was halted when Aman Verma used his hand to stop the ball going past him.

Referee Coggins spotted the infringement and awarded Bromley a penalty, which Turgott converted in off the post for 1-0.

From there the visitors came into the game, with both sides avoiding the heavy middle of the pitch and using the wings, Dan Sparkes was the creative force in The Gulls side down the left.

From his crosses Courtney Richards fired over, David Fitzpatrick had an effort saved by Julian and Brett Williams hit the bar from close range.

With Bromley on the back foot Torquay finished the half on top, Fitzpatrick was off target twice and then Sparkes himself drove the ball over.

The second half saw Torquay start on top, but The Ravens created the first chance when Hanlan broke up field and set up George Porter whose tame shot was fumbled by Moore with the ball bouncing just wide of the post.

The Gulls then did all of the pressing with Bromley sitting deeper and deeper, Sparkes crossed for Fitzpatrick who drove over and Williams had a close range header saved by Julian.

With Torquay constantly pressing a goalmouth scramble saw Julian save at the foot of the post diverting the ball to Sean McGinty who hit the top of the bar from the edge of the box.

Bromley briefly rallied with Lee Minshull heading wide from a free kick and Martin putting a Porter cross just the wrong side of the post.

Torquay were still the most likely to score though with Jamie Reid firing over, Fitzpatrick putting a free kick wide and then in injury time Sparkes saw one final effort saved by Julian who kept his side in front with his fine display in goal.

This was a win for Neil Smith’s side secured by hard work, great goalkeeping and more than a little luck taking The Ravens up to eleventh in the table, while Kevin Nicholson will be cursing his sides luck and lack of composure in front of goal.

 

Goals: Bromley – Turgott (pen)13mins.

Bromley: Julian, Dunne, Chorley, Holland, Martin (Wynter 79), Higgs (Dymond 65), Minshull, Turgott, Dennis (Porter 45), Hanlan.

Subs Not Used: Goldberg, Johnson.

Torquay: Moore, McGinty, Rowe-Turner, Hodgkiss, Gallifouco, Young (Reid 69), Fitzpatrick, Verma, Sparkes, Richards, Willians.

Subs Not Used: Nicholson, Lee, Chaney, Lathrope.

Referee: Mr A Coggins

HT 1-0 FT 1-0

ATT: 889