Mark Beesley's two goals before half-time settled Tuesday's match at home to Torquay United and also secured United's place alongside the Gulls in the play-offs.

The 26-year-old joined the club for an undisclosed fee from Forest Green Rovers at the end of January and he has now scored seven goals in thirteen starts and three sub appearances, including six in his last five games.

"When I first came here I was disappointed not to hit the ground running," he admitted.

"It was a little bit stop-start, in and out of the team without doing myself justice. I was getting frustrated and to be fair to the gaffer he stuck me in at Droylsden and I haven't looked back.

"The big thing is finishing games," he revealed. "I was making 65 to 70 minutes at first but now finishing the 90 helps with that confidence thing. Mind you, I didn't mind the reception today when the gaffer took me off near the end!

"The fans have been great to me, even when things weren't going well for me, but I was really made up with the reception when I came off today."

Torquay started brightly and always looked dangerous on the counter, and Beesley paid credit to the U's defence for keeping them at bay and ensuring a clean sheet: "They gave us a real game; they aren't second in the league for nothing.

"But we were professional, kept it tight at the back and saw them off, and another clean sheet - especially going into the play-offs - is an ideal base to build on because in play-off matches you never know when you need to close things out."

He concluded, "Although the play-off place is ours, we need a win on Saturday at Northwich to guarantee third place and the home advantage in the second leg.

"We all know, despite the win tonight, that the job isn't done until we bring League football back to the club."

Interview by David Gray

[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]

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