Salisbury fell to a one-nil defeat against Torquay United thanks to a late penalty at the Ray Mac on Fireworks Night.
Cody Cooke struck home from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to score the only goal of the game after Canice Carroll had tangled with Finley Craske just inside the box.
Salisbury started the game well, creating some half-chances. Jordan Thomas got on the end of Jordan Ragguette’s cross but was unable to make the most of the chance in the 6th minute.
Salisbury continued to press and retain the ball for large parts of the first half, and Noah Coppin tried the spectacular to open the scoring in the 22nd minute. His overhead effort from a Josh Hedges long throw just went over the bar.
Coppin again was presented with a good chance after a Salisbury break in the 33rd minute. Hedges fed the ball to last season’s top scorer, but Coppin pulled his effort wide of James Hamon’s upright.
Jordan Young had a chance for Torquay with 36 minutes on the clock, but after finding space in the Salisbury box, he dragged his effort wide, and the sides went in goalless at halftime.
It was the away side that started the second half the brighter, seeing more of the ball and probing at the Salisbury back line, which, led by Carroll, was standing firm to most of Torquay’s attacks.
Torquay had two free kicks in five minutes, both from dangerous positions, but both efforts failed to beat the Salisbury wall.
Salisbury threatened in spells, Callum Watts getting down the left and putting a dangerous ball into the box in the 64th minute, but he was unable to pick out a white shirt.
Torquay made changes, and the oncoming Will Jenkins-Davies and Lirak Hasani started to cause problems for the home side. Jenkins Davies was denied by a good stop from Lincoln in the 74th minute when he was put in on goal.
Then, Craske’s arrival in the 78th minute also proved to cause problems for Salisbury. Craske tumbled under a challenge from Carroll in the Salisbury box, and referee Lisa Benn pointed to the spot.
Cody Cooke, Torquay’s top scorer so far this season, stepped up and, after a long pause, sent Lincoln the wrong way to seal The Gull’s victory.
In the final minutes of the game, Salisbury threw long balls at the Torquay defence but were unable to create a decent opportunity.
