Torquay United striker Rene Howe: "More goals to come from me"

THE WIDTH of a post was all that stopped Rene Howe breaking that record, but Torquay United's leading scorer said: "I'll take the win over the record all day and any day" after the Gulls's 2-1 defeat of League Two leaders Gillingham at Plainmoor.

"It definitely would have beaten me scoring and the team losing," he said. "I'm happy with seven in seven to equal the record, and my name is on it.

"All I want to do now is push on and help the team up the table."

Going for his eighth goal in successive league games, Howe – he's scored 10 in all so far this season – hit the woodwork in the second half on Tuesday night.

BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC 1.0 ECOBOOST FOR ONLY £7685*

Swanson Motor Company

View details

Print voucher

DRIVE AWAY A BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC FOR ONLY £7685.
1.0 100PS Manual
WITH:
Electric Windows & Mirrors
Quickclear Heated Windscreen
15" Alloy Wheels
Bluetooth with Ford Sync
Fog Lights

Terms: *Drive away from only £7685 and then pay nothing for 24 months!
4.9% APR
Conditions Apply

Contact: 01626 240583

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

But Martin Ling's Gulls still came from behind to stretch their unbeaten home run to seven games with second-half goals from Nathan Craig and Kevin Nicholson.

Craig, who is 21 today, grabbed himself an early birthday present with a wide free-kick for his first-ever League goal.

Then long-serving left-back Nicholson hit his first goal of the season with a deflected 30-yard effort six minutes from time.

"It was two flukyish goals, but it was a reward for our play in the second half, and I don't think anyone would deny that we deserved to win," said Ling.

United's manager wasted little time before looking ahead to Saturday's visit of Morecambe to Plainmoor, stressing: "When we play to our real levels, we are a match for anyone in this league.

"The first thing that (captain) Lee Mansell said when we got into the dressing-room was 'We must beat Morecambe now'.

"We feel that we can be contenders in this division, and Saturday is a good opportunity to get that back-to-back wins 'monkey' off our back."

United haven't won two on the trot since last March. Tuesday's result means that only goal-difference keeps United out of the Play-Off zone, and it also lifted them above Devon rivals Exeter City for the first time this season – the Grecians drew 1-1 at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Nicholson added: "The gaffer talked about last year, when we beat Swindon here when they were top of the league and romping it, and hopefully this result sends a bit of a marker out now.

"We believe we're not just also-rans, but the biggest thing now is Saturday against Morecambe.

"We haven't put two wins together for a long time, and now we've got to show that we can do it consistently."

Ling praised the first League start of Danny Leadbitter, so with Joe Oastler back from suspension at the weekend, he has a decision to make at right-back at least.

United did not appear to sustain any new injuries on Tuesday night.

They still don't know who their FA Cup opponents will be in Round One at Plainmoor on Saturday week (Nov 3).

Harrogate Town and Hyde United will try again next Tuesday after their replay was postponed this week.

Footnote: When Carl Airey, the last Torquay player to hit seven goals in seven games, went for his eighth in November 1989, he failed on a Tuesday night at Plainmoor – against Gillingham!