FOOTBALL: SOLIHULL Moors are in danger of being dragged into the National League relegation scrap after tasting falling to a third consecutive defeat at home to Torquay United.
Dan Sparkes scored the winning goal in the final minute or normal time to struggling Torquay a 1-0 win at the Automated Technology Group Stadium on Tuesday evening, which leaves Moors seven points above the drop zone.
In a lacklustre first half, both teams did all they could to avoid conceding a goal with Nathan Baxter saving well to deny Luke Young, while George Carline fired over when he should have done better.
On the half-hour mark Dapo Afolayan was brought down outside the 18-yard box but Omari Sterling-James’ free kick was just wide and Sparkes tried his luck from an acute angle but Baxter was quickly down to claim the ball.
Within six minutes of the re-start, Baxter again got down well to deny Keating while at the other end Charles-Cook put in a peach of a cross which only needed that elusive touch and McGinty headed a good opportunity straight at Baxter.
It was becoming end-to-end contest but Moors were not effective in the final third when they got forward and were getting caught on the break by the visitors.
A Torquay corner on 65 minutes was driven low but the ball skied over the Moors cross bar and Keating shot straight at Baxter.
Andy Brown made an immediate impact when he was introduced bit his goalbound effort was cleared and instead it was Torquay who found a late winner.
With one minute of normal time remaining, the visitors broke away and Moors were unable to deal with a cross into the box which eventually fell to Sparkes to nod in from close range.
It was heartbreak for Moors in the closing stages of this all important ‘six pointer’ and their evening went from bad to worse when Charles-Cook was red carded in added time for a late tackle.
