Torquay United kept their impressive unbeaten run in the National League South going with a 1-1 draw at St Albans City today - but the top-of-the-table Gulls had so many chances to win this one in the second half.

After going behind in just the sixth minute, Torquay finally found an equaliser early in the second half when Jordan Young scored from the penalty spot. But, despite lots of chances after that, St Albans held out under a lot of pressure - with Young ripping their defence apart but his team not being able to find the net in open play.

There were two changes to the team that beat Welling United last weekend - both at full back where, after a one-match ban, Jordan Thomas came in at right back for Finley Craske, and fit-again Jay Foulston came in for Dean Moxey on the left. St Albans started stronger than Torquay. Harrison Smith, a new loanee from Stevenage, took his chance well in just the sixth minute - beating James Hamon with a great strike. It was a ball through the middle that cut Torquay open. Paul Wotton was booked following the goal.

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Young had a 30-yard free kick held well by Michael Johnson in the St Albans goal in the 10th minute and Dan Hayfield hit a shot wide a couple of minutes later. Johnson got down well to stop a good Sam Dreyer header in the 19th minute. Torquay were beginning to pressure the home team. Tafari Moore then cleared a Thomas chance off the line.

Torquay, playing in the white third kit, kept attacking well but St Albans were able to bat away the chances. Hayfied won a free kick and in the 33rd minute, Dylan Morgan sent in a great free kick, but Oscar Threlkeld couldn't keep his header down at the back post. Hamon saved a weak Dom Hutchinson shot soon after. Deon Woodman shot high over Hamon's crossbar. Zane Banton also shot over from the edge of the area.

Omar Mussa and Lirak Hasani came on for the second half, replacing Morgan and Will Jenkins Davies. And the Gulls won a penalty six minutes later when Thomas was fouled in the St Albans area. Usual penalty taker Cody Cooke handed the ball to Young and it was 1-1 after a sweet left-footed strike from the spot.

A Young shot from distance was handled well by Johnson; and he missed a great chance in the 57th minute, running onto a through ball but putting his shot wide. Torquay were on top now, with their fans making themselves heard. Mussa just missed the post with a strike in the 67th minute that was begging for a Torquay foot to divert the ball in. Young shot over the bar.

According to an assistant referee's flag, a Mussa corner went out of play before landing in the box and being directed into the net by Foulston. It was Foulston's final touch because he was replaced by Matt Carson before the game restarted. Time was running out for a Torquay winner. Johnson palmed a Mussa shot wide and from the corner, Hayfield got to the ball and it bounced three times on the bar before going out. Johnson touched a Young shot onto the post and Cooke put the rebound wide.

Torquay had a series of corners in the last 10 minutes but couldn't make any of them pay. A low drive by Hayfield in the 88th minute that rolled wide was the final chance for the Gulls before six minutes were added on. Mussa shot at Johnson after a good run as Torquay tried to get that winner. But a late Mussa corner was collected by Johnson - and the points were shared.

Torquay remain top of the National South table, now two points ahead of Boreham Wood instead of Maidstone United, who were beaten by Chesham United, with a trip to Slough Town to come on Tuesday.