TORQUAY United boss Gary Johnson praised his side’s defending following a 2-1 win at Southend United.

Goals from Ryan Hanson and Will Goodwin saw the Gulls end a four match losing streak with all three points at Roots Hall.

And Johnson was delighted with the spirit on show.

“The boys had to work very hard for the result,” said Johnson.

“Southend are decent at home and they pass it for fun.

“We dealt with that early and it was a typical away performance really, especially in the first half.

“It was a fantastic goal to put us in front and we knuckled down and worked hard after that."

And that led to the Gulls doubling their lead after the break.

“We got our chance in the middle of the second half on the break to make it 2-0 and I’m pleased Will got his goal," said Johnson.

“However you play a win is a win and three points in this league is massive.

But Torquay were forced to withstand sustained spells of pressure from the Shrimpers.

“We had to mother the goal in the second half,” admitted Johnson.

“I didn’t know it was Mother’s Day because they did a lot of mothering back there.

“They threw themselves in front of everything and that’s good defending.

“Southend will be frustrated but the spirit we showed in that penalty area was unbelievable.

“The result is the wonderful part of it and we’re really pleased because we took a bit of stick behind us.

“Southend supporters kept telling me we were useless but we got the result."

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