1. Maidstone's first goal.
If VAR was in use for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, then it would have been called into action to review Maidstone's opening goal.
Torquay keeper Mark Halstead appeared to have gathered the ball with both hands when Levi Amantchi pounced to score the Stones' opening goal. However, should Maidstone's opener have been disallowed.
The laws of the game state that a goalkeeper is deemed to be in control of the ball if the ball is between the hand or any surface (e.g ground, own body) or by touching it with any part of the hands or arms, except if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save; when holding the ball in an outstretched open hand or bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air. A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball.
A similar incident occured during a Premier League fixture between Aston Villa and Leicester City in the 2021-22 season, which Villa won 2-1 - but saw Jacob Ramsey seeing a goal disallowed because of Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel had a hand on the ball.
The reaction of Maidstone fans, who were seated in the far end of Bristow's Bench nearest to the away end - and would therefore had a clear view of the goal, to the scoring of the goal was decidely low key. However without VAR we will never know whether the goal would have been disallowed or not.
2. If the Gulls had taken the lead could the outcome had been different?
For long periods of the first half, Torquay were on top and could, and possibly should, have been in front before Maidstone took the lead. Tom Lapslie had looked well placed to score in the 17th minute and Aaron Jarvis had a hooked shot blocked on the line following a Jack Stobbs corner were amongst the better chances that Torquay created in the first half.
When the Gulls have taken the lead this season they have gone on to win on four occasions and draw once. However when they have conceded first, they have won twice and slipped to defeat four times.
3. Free to concentrate on the league.
Now that United have exited the FA Cup, they are now free to concentrate on their National League South, aside from when they enter the FA Trophy, where promotion remains their ultimate aim.
Instead of lining up in the FA Cup on November 4, the Gulls will be entertaining fellow promotion hopefuls Bath City, who themselves were eliminated from the cup by fellow National League South side Worthing.
Just as in the 2018-19 campaign when Torquay clinched the National League South, they had to win promotion and the same is just as true now.
4. Reinforcements needed.
In the FA Cup, clubs are allowed to name seven subs on the bench, two more than they are allowed in the league, but United were only able to name five. Amongst them were the returning captain Asa Hall, second choice goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, Ryan Hanson, Dan Martin and rookie pro Callum Thomas.
With loan duo Will Jenkins-Davies and Luke Pearce have returned to their parent clubs, Plymouth Argyle and Southampton respectively,
