Rob Wolleaston grabbed a sensational winner four minutes from the end as Torquay lost at home for the first time this season.

Earlier, two goals in the space of thirty seconds just before half time created an early fireworks display, as the U's took the lead then conceded thirty seconds later. Lee Boylan's looping header opened the scoring but before United could catch breath, Elliott Benyon levelled for the home side.

The win lifted United to fourth and knocked Torquay off the top spot... to be replaced by next weekend's FA Cup opponents, Aldershot Town.

"It probably wasn't a classic match football-wise, with regard to getting the ball down and playing it," admitted Jimmy Quinn afterwards, "but I thought there were two teams out there who were honest and working hard for one another.

"It was just about getting the break, which we did. You'd have to say from half-time through to probably 75 minutes that Torquay had a lot of the ball and were causing us problems, forcing corners and long throws, so I just changed a couple of personnel to put a bit more height back in there.

"It was about protecting what we had and trying to get something on the break, which is exactly what happened."

The U's boss admitted he was especially pleased for the United fans who had made the long journey to the Southwest to back their team: "It's a great result and it's great for the fans with the amount of travelling they do.

"They've come all the way down here and it would have been a long way back if we'd not got anything out of the game, so I'm pleased about that and it shows that we've got good spirit.

"But we haven't won anything," he warned. "It's very early in the season and Torquay are a good side. We've seen them many times and they'll be in the reckoning, but that's a good victory for us."

Quinn agreed it was frustrating to see his side take the lead and then be pegged back again within a minute, but pointed out an incident in the build-up to Torquay's equaliser: "Courtney (Pitt) actually slipped in the box when the ball was coming to him, so it was a bit unlucky in that respect, but I can't fault the players.

"I can't fault them all season, to be honest, and this is just another example of us going away from home and grinding out a good result," he continued.

"This wasn't a pretty game of football and the ball was in the air a lot, but I'm just glad that we got the breakthrough. It's all about winning; whether you play good or not, it's three points in the bag and it will go a long way to keeping us in that top five."

Of the winning goal, Quinn commented, "I was delighted when the ball broke to Rob Wolleaston because if anybody's got the skill around the box it's Rob. He's been absolutely magnificent all season and bear in mind he was playing in a two man midfield because we played three up front.

"The work he gets through in games doesn't go unnoticed by me and I'm sure the fans have appreciated that this season, and he's just capped a fine season with a good goal against top quality opposition at our level."

Quinn was particularly pleased to win despite the absence of several injured regulars, including goalkeeper Danny Potter, captain Danny Brown, and midfielders Mark Convery and Darren Quinton, while second half substitute Stephen Smith had to be withdrawn with an injury and was replaced by teenage first year pro Michael Hyem.

"We were missing those players today - and Danny Potter is the best keeper in this league in my books - so to get a result like that shows the spirit we've got in the squad. Paul Buckle (Torquay manager) will be disappointed in defeat but I'm quite sure they'll bounce back next week, they're a decent side."

Hyem marked his return to the first team fold with a vital challenge late in the game on Torquay's Hargreaves and Quinn commented, "He's only just 18 but he's got a heart the size of a lion and I had no qualms about putting him on.

"He's still got a lot to learn but he contributed to a great result today and that's the type of spirit you're looking for. As long the lads roll their sleeves up and have a go and show passion and aggression, the fans will stick by them and so will I.

"I want the lads to enjoy that win. It's all about winning and they deserve it," the concluded.

"They've worked very hard all week. We came with a gameplan and although we didn't play as well as we did on Tuesday night that's because we were playing better opposition today. They caused us a few problems but it was a great result."

United are next in action at home to Aldershot Town in the FA Cup 1st Round on Saturday 10th November at 3pm.

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