1. Mark Halstead's penalty save.
The majority of Gulls' fans would probably have feared the worst when Southampton loanee Nico Lawrence was adjudged Sam Dalby's fifth minute cross and Wrexham's leading scorer Paul Mullin stepped up to take the subsequent spot-kick.
However, United keeper Mark Halstead correctly guessed the direction of Mullin's strike and turned it behind for a corner to deny Mullin what would have been his 48th goal of the season in all competitions.
Halstead then on to make a string of saves throughout the course of the match and the Plainmoor faithful will be hoping that he remains at Plainmoor, as United attempt to win promotion from National League South at the first attempt.
2. Frank Nouble's goal and link up play
Frank Nouble’s third goal of the season looked like it might prove to be his most crucial when he turned home a cross from United’s leading scorer Aaron Jarvis on 53 minutes to give the Gulls lead.
Since his arrival on deadline day, Nouble has developed a good understanding with Jarvis and the duo had combined earlier in the game on 12 minutes when Jarvis’ cross from the left picked out Nouble, who nodded the ball straight into the arms of Wrexham keeper Ben Foster.
It would be a plus if either of those remained with the Gulls in National League South, but it would be a massive bonus.
3. Gary Johnson to remain as Gulls manager.
In his post-match interview, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson revealed that he is set to stay as Gulls manager in the 2023-24 season, as United aim to repeat their success of the 2018-19 campaign when they won National League South at the first attempt.
Whilst the Gulls struggled in the early part of the season, their form over the last eight games has seen them win five of their last eight league games – which is play-off form.
The great question remains is how would they have done over the course of the entire campaign if Johnson had had the group of players that he finished the season with from the start?
However, the challenge now facing Johnson is to keep as many of those players with the club as they aim to win a second National League South title.
4. Shaun Donnellan – United’s overlapping centre back.
Originally signed to provide cover in midfield, Shaun Donnellan had played in a variety of positions for the Gulls this season, from centre midfield to centre back to right back and even right wing-back on occasions.
However, in recent games he has established himself as a centre back and has emerged as one of the new innovations in the game as an ‘over lapping centre back.’
Over the course of the match, Donnellan made a number of marauding runs, producing the kind of crosses that wing-backs would be expected to make.
After making the position his own over the course of the campaign, he looks set to retain it in the 2023-24 season.
5. A number of local derbies to look forward to.
Had United managed to stay up then the nearest thing that they would have had to a local derby would have been Eastleigh. As it stands, the Gulls will be facing Yeovil Town (who were also relegated from the National League), Bath City, Chippenham Town, Taunton Town, Weston Super Mare, Weymouth and potentially Truro City as well if they can make it through their Southern Premier South play-off final with Bracknell Town.
These trips are great news for the fans, but as ever they are more fun if you are winning them.
5. What now for Wrexham?
Wrexham have inevitably attracted plenty of headlines since Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhinney completed their takeover of the club.
With their substantial financial backing, which has enabled them to bring in the likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee, Ben Tozer, Ben Foster etc, the Red Dragons have now won the National League with a record 111 points.
The challenge now facing Wrexham and their manager Phil Parkinson is to win back to back promotions, which would see the North Wales club reach League One – a division that they haven’t played in since the 2004-05 campaign. If themselves and Notts County – should the Magpies seal a return to the EFL through the play-offs – can both challenge for a second successive promotion then the argument for introducing three up, three down between League Two and the National League would not doubt be strengthened.
Another factor that also reflects how strong a division the National League is is the fact for the first time ever four ex-league clubs have been relegated from it (the Gulls, Yeovil, Scunthorpe United and Maidstone United).
