Wednesday 26 February 2014 12:44, UK
Chris Hargreaves had nothing but praise for his Torquay players despite slumping to the foot of League Two with a 1-1 draw against Burton.
Left-back Damien McCrory fired Burton ahead in the 33rd minute at Plainmoor with an unstoppable drive from just inside the box. The hosts took just seven minutes to level when recalled midfielder Ben Harding, making his return following a five-month injury lay-off, crossed from the right and striker Elliot Benyon dived full length to send the ball into the far corner of the net. Hargreaves said: "I was pleased with the effort, the work rate and commitment. It was not the result that we wanted although we probably came within an inch of it at the end. "But I was really pleased the players had the bravery to get on the ball and try and play at times. We did well against a very good Burton side who are involved in a different challenge to us. "They are going for promotion and we are fighting relegation so all of their players wanted the ball and are confident. I was proud of the players, they played well. "(Recalled central defender) Aaron Downes was excellent I was really pleased with him and Kevin Nicholson at left-back was fantastic. That's the best I have seen him play for a long time. "It was a great goal for us. The games haven't gone how we wanted them but they do in the end and if you keep getting points, you win and you draw, other teams will then lose so you have got to keep yourselves in there. "I know one thing, I am happier being seven points adrift having drawn than had we had lost because it's a hammer blow when you lose, the feeling is awful. It's no good. So I have told the lads in there 'well done, proud of your effort, get some rest, get some food down and be ready to go and beat Hartlepool'."