WEYMOUTH boss Brian Stock admitted the Terras had delivered a “fantastic performance” despite losing 4-3 to Vanarama National League leaders Torquay United.
Gary Johnson’s Torquay had been rocked at the Bob Lucas Stadium after Asa Hall and Josh Umerah goals put the Gulls 2-0 up in 25 minutes.
Cody Cooke volleyed a goal back for Weymouth, who then conceded 56 seconds into the second half as Aaron Nemane slotted home.
But Weymouth’s display thereafter was outstanding, feeding off a supportive Bob Lucas Stadium crowd.
First, the industrious Cameron Murray made it 3-2 with a nutmeg and Josh McQuoid scored his fifth goal in seven games after Cooke was barged over in the area.
But what would have been a highly impressive point was cruelly taken away in the 88th minute as Connor Lemonheigh-Evans tapped home amid suspicions of offside.
The result left Weymouth in 22nd and extended to 11 points Torquay’s lead at the top over Hartlepool.
Post-match, Stock said: “Fantastic performance. Gutted? Yeah. I felt we’ve given absolutely everything.
“Two games in three days is hard for us. Five centre-halves (were) missing.
“When I look at the back four with Jack Dickson, Jake McCarthy, Calvin (Brooks) and Ollie (Harfield) and Jordan Ngalo came in at right-back – I can’t ask for any more from those individuals.
“As a team they’ve left everything on that pitch. For me, I don’t think we’ll play against a better side this year.
“They’re a very well organised, fit, strong and athletic side and I fully expect them to go on and win the league.”
Stock had high praise for his players’ reactions to twice going two goals behind.
“At 3-1 and even at 2-0 you’re thinking: ‘what’s the next stage for us?’ and ‘how are we going to react?’
“When you look at the positivity and attitude from every single person on that pitch, they never give up. They have a never say die attitude.
“We need to remember those qualities in order for us to pick up some points over the next few games, especially.”
He added: “The crowd were behind us, we had the ascendancy and Alefe (Santos) came on and added a little bit more quality in a wide area.
“We really put a very good side on the backfoot for quite a large part of the game.
“Again, a lapse in concentration right towards the end has proved costly for us.”
Stock also had cause for optimism with regards to his team’s identity and style of play.
“We looked comfortable in the formation,” he said.
“Obviously, we’re missing players – Ben Thomson, Corey (Jordan), Brennan (Camp) and JLS (Josh Leslie-Smith). Sean Shields failed a late fitness test.
“The squad’s taking shape and anyone that suffers the effects from the coronavirus it does take it out of the players and does take a long time – especially for a part-time team – to build that fitness back up.
“You look at the disappointment. I want them to pick their heads up and walk out with their heads held high.
“They’ve given a very good team a run for their money. Some of the players have run really hard over the last three days and we’ll need a couple of days to recover, that’s for sure.”
