Dario Gradi was pleased that his side again showed great character to pick up a point at Plainmoor. Crewe were trailing 1-0 and Shaun Miller had wastefully skied a spot-kick over the Torquay crossbar before the young striker redeemed himself with a brilliant run and back heal to create an 85th minute equaliser for Donaldson.
It was another late goal from a spirited Alex to grab a deserved share of the spoils.
After the 1-1 draw, Dario told crewealex.net: "We certainly played better at the end of the game than we did at the beginning and I thought a goal was coming to come. It should have come from the penalty spot but even though Shaun Miller missed that they kept going.
"It was a great goal because the two strikers linked up very well for it. They combined a lot better and I was surprised that the fans were that united in their criticism when I chose to take Zola off because he was struggling to get hold of the ball. He has been out for a number of weeks and couldn't get hold of it for us. I thought putting Donaldson up there with Shaun and bringing Murphy on changed the game.
"So maybe I go that one right there because the changes pay dividends for us and we could have won in the last few minutes too with a bit of luck. Saying that it was a game void of real clear cut chances. They didn't test Steve Phillips that much and we didn't test their keeper too much either.
"I thought their number 9 (Benyon) was excellent and caused us trouble. I am not sure what his goalscoring record is but if that is good then he has all the attributes to become an outstanding player. The left winger was also dangerous."
Dario also revealed that Miller was the club's designated penalty taker and will remain so despite his miss this afternoon. Dario told us: "I wasn't surprised Shaun took it because he is a goalscorer and is our designated penalty taker.
"I know it is a different art taking a penalty but he scores them for fun in training and I was surprised when he missed it. I am sure if we get another one this season, he will be up for it and will be the most likely candidate.
"We have gone on a little run but have drawn rather than won and the play-offs don't looked a realistic possibility now. It is not impossible but there is no evidence of us going on an outstanding run.
"The aim is to finish as high as we can and to build a team here capable of performing much better next season. We are doing that and there is a good nucleus here. "
