Torquay United manager Paul Wotton praised his side’s performance despite being beaten 2-1 at home by National League South leaders Hornchurch.
Callum Dolan gave the Gulls an 11th-minute lead from the penalty spot after the Gulls forward had been fouled in the box.
But Hornchurch drew level through a Henry Hearn penalty nine minutes later before Angelo Balenta scored what proved to be the winner three minutes after the break.
Torquay created a host of openings after going behind but could not find an equaliser.
The loss means Torquay slip to eighth in the table as they drop outside of the play-off places – they are 10 points off Hornchurch who have a game in hand.
“I think it’s probably the best we’ve played at home this year,” Wotton told BBC Radio Devon after the club’s first loss at Plainmoor this season.
“You don’t always get what you deserve in football and I don’t think we deserved that today.
“They are a good team, they’ve got a lot of experience, but I thought we were better than them today,” he added.
“I thought we showed real moments of togetherness and work rate and some of our play was outstanding.
“We were brave to play and move the ball and it’s just the result is disappointing, the performance I thought was very, very good.”
