TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DOVER ATHLETIC

1. McGavin's eighth of the season.

When it comes to deciding who scored Torquay United's best goal of the 2023-24 campaign, there's likely to be one competition for Brett McGavin and one for everyone else. 

McGavin's eighth goal of the campaign, which he struck from 30 yards after a cross from Ethon Archer fell into his path in the 59th minute, proved to be the difference. And he almost netted towards the end when his free-kick from the edge of the penalty area on 90 minutes was turned around the post by Dover keeper Daniel Jinadu. If that had gone in, he would have been level with Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash in United's goalscoring charts. 

2. Dan Martin makes a promising return at left-back. 

Dan Martin's time at Plainmoor has been very much stop, start due to a combination of injuries and illness. However, he returned to the Gulls' starting line-up with an industrious display on the left hand side of United's defence. 

The former Cardiff City youngster was solid defensively and looked strong going forward. He even found himself through on goal in the 56th minute, with a shot that he fired straight at Jinadu in the Dover goal. 

3. Ollie Tomlinson and Dean Moxey looked strong as a centre back pairing. 

Once again, United's centre back pairing of Ollie Tomlinson and Dean Moxey put on a good show in the centre of the Gulls' defence. Admittedly, Dover didn't offer a huge threat in attack, but Tomlinson, not the most physically imposing of centre backs, displayed good positional sense and Moxey once again read the game well and made an important tackle in the 10th minute to deny Dover striker George Nikaj. 

4. Returns for Brad Ash and Tom Lapslie. 

United's injury list in the 2023-24 campaign has been lengthy, with the Gulls missing as many as nine players at one point. 

Two of those who have experienced particularly lengthy absences have been Brad Ash, who hadn't featured for United since their 3-1 win over Weymouth in early December. 

Ash started out as a lone striker while Lapslie returned from the bench as a replacement for skipper Asa Hall. United's record with Lapslie in the side prior to their meeting with Dover had read played 15, won 11, drawn once and lost three times. That record has now been extended to played 16, won 12, draw one and lost three.

5. Managing expectations. 

Torquay's last spell in National League South saw them dominate teams en route to winning the title. However, after losing ten out their 26 league encounters, United look destined for the play-offs and trail leaders Yeovil Town by 18 points. 

A section of the Gulls's support were calling for manager Gary Johnson to be sacked, many still angry about the club's relegation at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. 

While some fans would have thought that United could have beaten Dover by a bigger margin, it is worth noting that the Lilywhites have drawn twice with Bath City and beaten Aveley, two teams who are both in contention for a play-off place with the Gulls. 

Second place, which would guarantee home advantage for the play-off semi final and the final, should they reach it, is still up for grabs. And with more players set to return from injury, including Aaron Jarvis and Kevin Dawson, there is potential for the Gulls to finish the season with a flourish.

FOSTER LOOKING TO CONTINUE PILGRIMS' PROGRESS

 After seeing Steven Schumacher leave Home Park to take charge of Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle turned to former England Under-20 coach Ian Foster as his successor. 

Foster, 47, had spent most of playing career in non-league and the lower reaches of the Football League with Hereford, Barrow, Kidderminster Harriers and Chester before moving into coaching. 

As a manager, he started with Galway United in 2009,  who he kept in the League of Ireland Premier Division before moving on to Dundalk. While with Dundalk, he led them into the Europa League before returning to England in 2012 to take up a role at Coventry City's Under-18 side and he oversaw the development of James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Cyrus Christie amongst others. 

He was then appointed as first team coach at Portsmouth under Paul Cook. Foster then began coaching for the FA, working with the England Under-17, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 sides over a number of years and also served alongside Phil Neville during his spell as England Women's manager. 

In 2023, he left the FA to work as Steven Gerrard's assistant in the Saudi Professional League at Al-Ettifaq before he returned to England to take charge of the Pilgrims.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

 1. First draw since the opening day. 

United's draw with Eastbourne Borough was their first draw of the 2023-24 season since the opening day of the campaign when they drew 2-2 with Dover Athletic. 

2. Tom Lapslie a big miss.

There are stats that show the difference between when Tom Lapslie appears for United and when he doesn't. The Gulls have won 11 of the 15 games he has featured in, drawn one and lost three. 

Without Lapslie's drive and dynamism, United lacked any bite in the centre of the park and when they conceded possession, they often struggled to win the ball back. 

3. Three apiece for Dillon De Silva and Will Jenkins Davies.

By finding the target against Eastbourne, Dillon De Silva and Will Jenkins Davies have taken their respective tallies for the season to three goals. 

4. Gulls below the line. 

Results elsewhere have ensured that United have dropped out of the play-off zone and find themselves in eighth place. 

The Gulls have games in over the teams directly above them, two over seventh placed Aveley and one over sixth placed Bath City - who United are level on points with. However, the Gulls need to win those games, otherwise the plan going forward with become increasingly difficult for the club. 

5. Room for manoeuvre.

With Shaun Donnellan's transfer to Livingston now confirmed, there is now surely room to bring one or two additions. 

Leading scorers Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash are currently still injured and Theo Williams has returned to Fleetwood Town following his loan spell, so another attacking option could be the order of the day.