1. First home defeat of the campaign for the Gulls.
For the first time since their FA Trophy exit at the hands of FC Halifax Town on January 11, Torquay United fell to defeat on home soil - as Dagenham & Redbridge became the first team to come away from Plainmoor with all three points in the 2020-21 season. Paul McCallum's first half header ultimately proved to be the difference for the Daggers, who were also reduced to ten men when Mitch Brundle was dismissed in the 41st minute. However, United can still take some comfort that their home record of played seven, won five, drawn one and lost one is still the best in the National League in the current campaign.
2. Former loanees come back to haunt United.
Both Dagenham & Redbridge manager Daryl McMahon and goalscorer Paul McCallum have both experienced loan spells with the Gulls previously in the careers. McMahon spent one game on loan from West Ham United in the 2003-04 season - a substitute appearance against a Yeovil Town side managed by United manager Gary Johnson - and McCallum also arrived at Plainmoor on loan from the Hammers in the 2013-14 season, where he scored three goals in six appearances. One of McCallum's teammates from that spell was current United assistant manager Aaron Downes.
3. Are the injuries starting to affect the Gulls?
With skipper Asa Hall suspended and with an injury list that included Ben Wynter, Dean Moxey, Sam Sherring and Liam Davis, United went into Tuesday's fixture with a patched up side. This was most notable with the defensive that manager Gary Johnson was able to name, which consisted of Matt Buse at right-back, a centre back pairing of Fraser Kerr and Gary Warren and skipper for the night Kyle Cameron played at left-back. It was a far from ideal situation for Johnson and the Gulls but, on the flip side, other than McCallum's goal and another effort from the former Gulls' loanee on 33 minutes, which rebounded back off the post and was saved by United keeper Shaun MacDonald, the Gulls' back line was seldomed troubled.
4. Little's return.
Arguably the biggest plus point of the night for the Gulls was Armani Little's late cameo, as he continued his return from injury. The former Oxford United midfielder replaced Fraser Kerr in the 67th minute and displayed plenty of zest and vigorous, not mention a great range of passing. Little displayed glimpses of his undoubted talent in the 2019-20 season - a brace in a 4-2 win over eventual champions Barrow on October 26, 2019 springs to mind - but if he can stay fit he can be a real asset for United in their quest for promotion from the National League.
5. Highest attendance since crowds have been allowed back in.
Tuesday night's attendance of 1,165 may have been only marginally higher than United's previous two encounters with Wrexham and Maidenhead United, but nevertheless it is the Gulls' highest crowd since fans have been allowed back into Plainmoor. A maximum of 1,750 were permitted to attend on Tuesday and hopefully a few more will be allowed to attend United's Boxing Day clash with Yeovil Town.
