Second-leg stalemate secures Torquay United’s place at Old Trafford

Torquay United will face Stevenage Borough in next Saturday's play-off final

Half of Old Trafford will be yellow next week after Torquay United secured their place in the League Two play-off final with a 0-0 draw against Shrewsbury Town at Greenhous Meadow.

The Gulls’ 2-0 aggregate victory over the team that finished the league campaign one point outside the automatic promotion places has set up a final against Football League newcomers Stevenage Borough.

Guy Branston played a vital defensive role and demonstrated why he made it into the PFA League Two team of the year. The 32-year-old met a barrage of Shrewsbury crosses and committed himself to the kinds of tackles that have made him a favourite among the Plainmoor faithful.

The Yellows can look forward to their second play-off final in three years after Paul Buckle’s attacking philosophy reaped its rewards in this all-round professional performance.

The Shrews knew that they had to up their game after a poor display last Saturday at Plainmoor and an 8,500 crowd were in expectant mood.

Graham Turner’s side was strengthened by the return of central defender Ian Sharps who was injured in the semi-final first-leg but even with their stalwart back in defence the Gulls still managed to create chances in front of goal.

A feisty opening saw the home side chasing Torquay players but the men from South Devon showed composure and continued to play their passing game.

Torquay almost took the lead in the 25th minute when man-of-the-match Gavin Tomlin showed trickery on the right to get behind Town’s defence and zip a low cross across the face of goal but Jake Robinson failed to reach the ball for a tap-in.

Shrews left-winger Mark Wright looked the most likely to carve open a chance for the Shropshire side and on 43 minutes he crossed a dangerous ball in front of Scott Bevan’s goal but, luckily for the Gulls, none of his teammates were able to connect.

The second half saw the home side place more pressure on the Gulls but Buckle’s men continued to frustrate their opponents by retaining possession.

Town’s Lionel Ainsworth volleyed an ambitious effort over Bevan’s goal on 47 minutes in a period of play that threatened to end the second-leg stalemate.

However, the best chance of the evening fell to Dagenham & Redbridge loanee Tomlin after Eunan O’Kane threaded the striker an exquisite ball on 50 minutes. The 28-year-old frontman dribbled the ball just inside the penalty area but managed to bend his right-footed shot around the keeper’s left-hand post.

Tomlin continued to wreak havoc in the Shrews defence and on 53 minutes he was blocked cynically by Sharps 25 yards from goal. Billy Kee took the resultant free kick but his effort deflected twice before landing harmlessly in the arms of Ben Smith.

Tomlin again found himself goal side of the Town defence on 71 minutes but his run on the left side ended with him blasting the ball over the bar instead of passing to Chris Zebroski who was arriving at the penalty spot.

The travelling supporters faced a nerve-racking finish as Shrewsbury tried to rescue their play-off dream but a defence marshalled by Branston weathered the storm.

Ex-Torquay midfielder Nicky Wroe tried to claw a goal back for his new employers on 88 minutes but his venomous shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar by 6ft 6in Bevan.

A nail-biting finish ensued for Gulls fans but despite Shrewsbury delivering more balls into the Torquay box, the play-off party remained on track as the Yellows held out to secure the aggregate victory.