Torquay United held to frustrating draw and the penalty that never was

Referee Said Ouchene was the talk of Torquay United on Saturday after his pivotal decision arguably cost the Gulls a valuable victory in their pursuit of automatic promotion.

United led Maidenhead with a goal from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton late in the first half but were pegged back by former Gull Josh Umerah.

The game was in the balance when Louis Dennis surged into the Maidenhead box and appeared to be tripped, but Ouchene decided it was simulation from the United forward, and not the penalty that looked obvious to most inside Plainmoor.

The question is why would Dennis deliberately go down in the box when he had such a clear chance to score?

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening half, Torquay edging possession and territory without causing huge threats to the visiting defence. Lo-Everton was the brightest spark, twice going close in the opening 15 minutes.

Dan Hayfield warmed the hands of Jordi van Stappershoef at the near post before Umerah posted a warning of his danger with an effort blocked by the retreating United defence.

Lo-Everton then intervened with the one moment of real quality in a tight first period, skipping through a challenge and spearing a powerful low finish beyond the reach of van Stappershoef.

James Hamon was properly introduced to the game five minutes after the interval, brilliantly tipping over a goal-bound header from a corner, but United’s number one had no answer on 54 minutes, when Umerah curled a sumptuous free-kick into the back of the net.

The Gulls sought a swift response, Dylan Morgan denied by the increasingly impressive van Stappershoef. Substitute Kieran Wilson fired narrowly wide moments after entering the fray and van Stappershoef was again equal to a deflected effort from Matt Worthington.

Then came the big moment, Dennis’ first touch took him into a shooting position when he tumbled over a Maidenhead leg. It looked stonewall but rather than celebrating a spot-kick, Dennis was beating the ground in frustration as Ouchene brandished a yellow card for diving.

The Gulls toiled hard in the closing stages but their big chance had already been taken away by a highly controversial decision from the man in the middle.