Eastbourne Borough’s unbeaten run came to an end despite a battling performance away at Torquay United.

In a game of fine margins, chances were few and far between at Plainmoor – but a deflected Sam Dreyer effort four minutes from time put the hosts in front.

And searching for an equaliser, the Sports were caught on the break in the last minute of stoppage time courtesy of Omar Mussa to condemn them to a 2-0 defeat in Devon.

Adam Murray made one change from the team that beat Tonbridge seven days ago, with George Alexander replacing John Shamalo to lead the attacking line.

A closely fought game was expected, and it delivered just that. Jordan Young’s free-kick going just wide for the hosts was the only shot on goal inside the first fifteen minutes.

However, the Sports had half chances to get their noses in front. Jason Adigun fired over from a corner before Dom Odusanya’s backheel after Freddie Carter’s long throw was flicked on was blocked.

Carter then had space on the right and swung a ball in, but Yahaya Bamba couldn’t get his header on target.

Carter himself then a low shot blocked after the ball fell to him inside the area, before Joe Wright was called upon but got his body behind Cody Cooke’s tame effort from the edge of the area.

And it was Torquay who had the best chance of the half just before the break – as Matt Jay rolled the ball across to Lirak Hasani inside the area but his drive was turned over the bar by Wright diving to his left.

The Sports enjoyed more of the ball as the second half got underway, and were left bemused when Bamba broke down the left hand side before being upended by Finley Craske, but referee Luis Griffiths waved play on.

On the hour mark, Adigun whipped in a free-kick and Odusanya’s header eventually fell to Alexander, but from a tight angle his shot was deflected over.

Borough then had their best chance midway through the second period. Bamba was looking dangerous down the left, and he cut the ball back across from the byline to Adigun, but his first time effort drew a point blank save from James Hamon – with the playmaker unable to get the follow-up on target.

Tensions grew as time ticked down, but it was Torquay who got the breakthrough just four minutes from time.

Mussa’s corner in from the right was never cleared by the Sports, and Dreyer hooked the ball goalwards – and a deflection sent the ball past the wrongfooted Wright and into the bottom corner.

Cooke then hit the post as the Sports pushed forwards, before Torquay sealed the points in the last minute of stoppage time. With Borough committing men forward, Cooke released substitute Mussa who drove into the area before slotting beyond Wright.

A massive shout-out to the 69 Borough fans who made the trip to Plainmoor to get behind the team – your support was phenomenal.