Torquay United’s match-winner Matt Jay is optimistic that his team’s last-minute triumph against Tonbridge Angels can spark an improved away record this season.

Jay’s decisive goal in the 83rd minute ensured a 2-1 victory for the Gulls, marking their first win of the National League South season and their inaugural match away from Plainmoor.

Last season, Torquay did not secure an away win until early October. They ultimately managed to claim 10 victories in 23 away league matches, but suffered a defeat in their final outing, losing 3-2 in extra time to Hornchurch in the promotion play-off final.

“We had to find a way, and maybe last year we wouldn’t have won that game, so it was pleasing to come away with three points today,” Jay shared with BBC Radio Devon.

“The couple of years I’ve been here we’ve been really, really good at home and it’s been the away form that hasn’t been so good. So we have to try and pick up some points away from home, especially when we come to difficult places like this, so it’s huge for us.”

This goal marked Jay’s first for Torquay since March 10. He is currently in his third season with the Gulls after joining the team from Colchester United in January 2025 on a contract that extends until 2027.

In his debut half-season, he netted seven goals in 20 appearances, including a crucial winner against eventual league champions Truro City, bringing the title race to a thrilling conclusion on the final day. However, his game time was limited last season, resulting in four goals during the campaign.

Jay started 22 matches and came on as a substitute in an additional 18 league fixtures, but has only made four starts since Jimmy Ball assumed managerial duties in March.

“We knew that we had to find a way to win and I’m pleased for myself because it’s been a long time coming,” Jay remarked. “A bit of disappointment last year, I thought I could have done a bit more last year, so this season I feel really good and I want to be playing all the time. I didn’t start the last two, but hopefully it’s in the manager’s mind now and I’m delighted to score the winner, we needed that.”

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Torquay United match-winner Matt Jay hopes his side’s late victory at Tonbridge Angels can be a catalyst for better away form this season.

Jay’s 83rd-minute goal ensured a 2-1 victory for the Gulls, their first of the National League South season, in their first match away from Plainmoor.

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Torquay did not pick up an away win until early October last season.

They went on to win 10 of their 23 away league matches before losing their final trip in extra time as they were beaten 3-2 at Hornchurch in the promotion play-off final.

“We had to find a way, and maybe last year we wouldn’t have won that game, so it was pleasing to come away with three points today,” Jay told BBC Radio Devon.

“The couple of years I’ve been here we’ve been really, really good at home and it’s been the away form that hasn’t been so good.

“So we have to try and pick up some points away from home, especially when we come to difficult places like this, so it’s huge for us.”

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The goal was Jay’s first for Torquay since 10 March as he takes part in his third season for the Gulls.

The former promotion-winning Exeter City captain has had an up and down time since moving to Plainmoor from Colchester United in January 2025 on a deal that runs until 2027.

He scored seven goals in 20 games in his first half-season, including the winner at eventual league champions Truro City that helped the Gulls take the title race down to the final day of the campaign.

But he found game-time limited last term as he scored four times.

He started 22 games last and featured as a substitute in a further 18 league games but has made just four starts since Jimmy Ball took over as manager in March.

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“We knew that we had to find a way to win and I’m pleased for myself because it’s been a long time coming,” Jay added.

“A bit of disappointment last year, I thought I could have done a bit more last year, so this season I feel really good and I want to be playing all the time.

“I didn’t start the last two, but hopefully it’s in the manager’s mind now and I’m delighted to score the winner, we needed that.”

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