Squad depth and clean sheets help Torquay United find their mojo under Jimmy Ball

Have Torquay United, on the back of two key wins over Horsham (2-0) and then at Weston-super-Mare (3-0) on Good Friday, rediscovered their ‘mojo’ just in time?

We’re going to find out at Plainmoor on Easter Monday when the Gulls, lifted by new manager Jimmy Ball and an almost fully fit squad, put their National League South promotion hopes on the line against relegation battling Bath City.

That rousing victory at Weston, combined with the now-customary round of unpredictable results elsewhere, has recharged the hopes of United fans who had begun to sweat on simply making the Play-Offs.

Dorking’s 3-0 defeat at mid-table Horsham has given everyone renewed hope that the title itself is not done and dusted.

And why not with the leaders, only three points clear now with four games to go, facing second placed Worthing at Meadowbank on Monday?

Ball has been quick to make ‘clean sheets’ a top priority, and it was like watching the Torquay of last season as they beat back everything that Weston could throw at them.

The defence, with centre-backs Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer at their defiant best, was not for breaking.

And, after Matt Worthington’s deft opener, that provided the springboard for Louis Dennis’ two quality clinchers in the last ten minutes.

Ball later confirmed that he’s keen for midfielder Worthington, whom he first signed as a 12-year-old for Southampton’s Academy, to play higher up the pitch than he has done for most of the season.

Dennis and assist-in-chief Sonny Blu Lo-Everton had both risen off the subs bench to finish the job, and one of the most impressive things about the Gulls on Friday was the depth of their squad.

Only a couple of weeks after they could fill barely half a bench, and with kids at that, long may it continue.

There were several meaty challenges at the Woodspring Stadium, but United seemed to get everyone affected off the pitch before the damage got too serious.

And new loanee Charlie Osborne from AFC Bournemouth may also force his way into contention if he’s over a niggling hamstring issue.

Bath, where former Weston and Eastleigh manager Scott Bartlett is now in charge, gave their hopes of staying up a much-needed boost with a late Scott Wilson winner against fellow strugglers Chippenham (1-0) on Friday.

Their leading scorer, ex-Gulls midfielder Will Jenkins Davies, has been out since the last week of January.

But two more former United players, defender Ollie Tomlinson and striker Brad Ash, are likely to be in their line-up.

At this time of year everyone is cocking an ear towards events elsewhere, especially in a division which is building a reputation for tight finishes.

Dorking’s loss at Horsham gave Worthing, who themselves had to come from behind to beat doomed Eastbourne Borough 2-1 with two late goals, a boost.

But there’s such a logjam among the rest that only eight points cover Worthing in second down to Weston in eleventh.

You’d be a brave man to have more than a couple of bob on who’s going to win the title, let alone any individual matches.

Dorking against Worthing isn’t the only ‘biggie’ on Monday.

Hornchurch, who have a game in hand, will not relish their trip to Maidstone and there’s seldom much love lost between Dagenham and Chelmsford or Ebbsfleet (5th) and Dover.

Hemel Hempstead travel to Enfield, Maidenhead host Hampton & Richmond, Chesham entertain Slough and Weston go to Salisbury.

Monday’s referee at Plainmoor is Tommy Breen from Woodford Green, London.