BLIND faith can often disguise a true reflection of events. Misleading as they are, football managers are the biggest culprits of assuming a somewhat political stance, where it is paramount to make the right noise, rather than the real noise.

There are, however, exceptions, and on Saturday David Hodgson refused to sugar-coat his way around a draw with what, in his opinion, was a far superior Torquay United side.

It is no secret that Hodgson is as candid as they come and what he says generally goes.

Even with seven games to go and his side just five points clear of the relegation zone, the Quakers boss is not afraid to tell it how it is, no matter how damning the grim reality is.

Hodgson's post-match synopsis was not about condemnation, more a reminder that his side still have it all to do between now and May.

One defeat in 12 is hardly the form of a team weighed down by the threat of relegation. But no matter how good reading the form table reads, it is Quakers' precarious position at the foot of the Third Division which matters most to Hodgson.

For the second consecutive week, Quakers surrendered a one-goal lead against promotion candidates after Torquay's David Graham cancelled out Neil Teggart's second minute opener.

"We didn't lose two points, we gained one," admitted Hodgson.

"We have to hold our hands up and say they were a better side than us.

"I thought they ran the show for most of the game. We started well and we got the goal because we started well. If we'd have started slowly I have no idea what the outcome might have been.

"I thought this game was a good way to judge ourselves and see how far away we are from being up there ourselves.

"From what I saw there was a bit of a gap. We can play better and there's no question about that. I know we can pass it a lot better so there's obviously room for improvement."

And, after an 800-mile-round journey for the Devon outfit, Hodgson was disappointed that his side failed to make the most of their home advantage.

"With all due respect, when a team has travelled eight or nine hours the day before we've got to take control of the game," said Hodgson. "We should have made the ball work and tire them out."

Indeed, Leroy Rosenior's third-placed side were still stretching their legs when Teggart headed straight at Gulls keeper Kevin Dearden with just a minute played.

The visitors were just as motionless moments later when Barry Conlon unwittingly charged down Lee Canoville's attempted clearance to give Quakers the lead from just two yards out.

And while Quakers looked comfortable early on, near misses from David Graham and Steve Woods for Torquay served a reminder that Hodgson's men would have to work hard to preserve their lead.

Full-back Brian McGlinchey pulled his effort wide on 22 minutes, before 18-goal top scorer Graham fired a free-kick, from 35 yards out, over the bar.

On-loan Fulham midfielder, Liam Rosenior - son of Gulls boss, Leroy - was unlucky not to draw his side level when he curled wide when Michael Price looked beaten.

And with half-time approaching Teggart showed great skill to bring the ball down before dragging wide of Dearden's goal.

Quakers keeper Price had to be at full stretch to tip away Russell's long-range effort early in the second half.

But with 66 minutes on the clock, the former Leicester City stopper was unable to prevent Graham from levelling for the Gulls.

Defender Matt Clarke was wrong-footed by substitute Martin Gritton's deft flick on and Graham showed great composure to place the ball past Price inside the box.

Perhaps a testament to the reputation Quakers are rapidly gaining following their recent revival, Torquay sat back, seemingly content on coming away with a point.

Both sides had opportunities to claim victory late on with Barry Conlon being brilliantly denied by the reflexes of Dearden, while at the other end Craig Liddle coming to Quakers' rescue with a last gasp challenge to deny Matt Hockley a shot on goal.

Result: Darlington 1 Torquay United 1.

Read more about the Quakers here.