TORQUAY United boss Gary Johnson was left hurting after finishing up empty handed against Southend United.

Cav Miley’s late goal secured the Shrimpers a 2-1 victory against the Gulls who remain third from bottom in the standings.

And Johnson felt the dramatic finish to the game summed up the side’s contrasting fortunes this season.

“It’s what happens when you’re down in the lower reaches of the league and the other team is the higher reaches sometimes unfortunately,” Johnson told the club’s YouTube channel.

“I thought we did well to wrestle it back because we didn’t create enough chances in the first half.

“In the second half we got into their penalty and did create chances but they’ve got a good team and that’s why they’re up there.”

The Shrimpers sit sixth in the table following Saturday’s win but it was the timing of Miley’s winner which hurt Johnson most.

“The disappointing thing was how late they got the goal,” said Johnson.

“We gave it a bit of a go and we had the momentum in the last 20 minutes but it wasn’t quite to be.

“We hit the wall at the end and had everyone up there.

“Their lad went through and got the winner and it’s a shame because a draw would’ve been OK.”

But Johnson insists the Gulls will continue to battle in their bid to beat the drop.

“We are where we are and there’s a little league of about eight teams down there,” said Johnson.

“Anything can happen and you can’t give up.

“We’ve got some massive games coming up and we’ve got to be ready.

“We’re up for the fight and there will be teams who will implode by the end of the season and we’ve got to make sure that’s not us.

“Hopefully we’ll also start to get that little bit of luck other teams are getting.

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