“I think there were too many average performances in a big game.”

The last time Torquay United reached the first round proper of the FA Cup was in 2022 – four years ago. Next year they will try again, because they were beaten 1-0 in the fourth qualifying round at home by Oxford City on Saturday in a flat performance that frustrated the manager Jimmy Ball, and annoyed a lot of the fans.

A breakaway goal in the 52nd minute was all that separated the two sides after 90-something minutes, but in a first half that the Gulls dominated, they should have done more. A disallowed goal when Deon Moore was called offside in the first half was the closest they got a goal, and with a good penalty shout turned down by the referee in the second, there was very little else of note, even though the team finished the game with a handful of forwards on the pitch.

Torquay ’s inability to turn domination into goals this season has been a cloud hanging over Ball’s squad, despite hitting five in the last National League South game against Slough Town.

Ball said he was feeling “disappointment for the fans and for the club” after the game. And added: “I think there were too many average performances in a big game.”

He said: “I thought, if you compare the two teams, their defensive unit defended resolutely and tough for 90 minutes and we didn’t, and I think their midfield passed the ball better and ran all over us really. And I think their attacking unit had one chance and took it, whereas we didn’t.

“All the way through there were too many average performances in a big game and you end up getting done. I’m desperately disappointed with the goal.”

There wasn’t much moaning about Moore’s first-half disallowed goal, but Ball said he had watched the video and it was possibly onside.

Ball said: “Deon’s disallowed goal, I have watched back five or six times, and I can’t tell. It’s so close. I thought the advantage went to the attacking team but obviously not today.”

Ball also mentioned the handball in the second half, which was ‘clear and obvious’ – but apparently not to the referee.

Ball said: “I feel like I am making excuses. I am gutted for the fans, I wanted to give them something to be excited about. I am gutted for the club because it helps massively – but I think there were too many average performances today.”

Oxford’s chance was scored by Scott Pollock after a long punt up field caught Torquay’s defence out. After that it was mostly all Torquay again but even when they were hammering on the doors, Oxford kept them firmly shut.

Oxford certainly weren’t the better team on the day, but they did seem to be the more determined, and that’s how they won their place in the hat for the first round draw.

It was flat off the field too. Torquay’s two home games in the cup have been watched by much fewer fans than their league games this season. You might have expected around 3,500 at a National League South game; there were only 2,283 at Plainmoor for this one. The league really is the competition that counts – but losing the money a good FA Cup run would have generated is a blow.

Ball said: “There is a lot of anxiety in this stadium and I think that comes from everyone wanting us to do well and succeed. I don’t think it comes from a bad place, but it sort of finds its way onto the pitch I think.”

Torquay have a home game in the Devon St Luke’s Bowl on Tuesday night, before a huge game against the current National South leaders Maidstone United next weekend.

Ball said about the game against Holsworthy: “It will be for minutes to make sure come Friday I have got 20 players to pick from that are all fit and ready to go. We will be using it for Saturday.

“Saturday is the only game I am thinking about in terms of performance.”