Buckle pleased with Pirates draw

Torquay United's pre-season continues with a valuable exercise against West Country rivals Bristol Rovers that produced a fine 1-1 draw for the Gulls.

Paul Buckle saw his Torquay United side earn a creditable 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers at the weekend with a side that contained Michael Poke in goal - as we revealed on Gulls Net last Friday - and Chris Hargreaves in an experimental role at centre back.

Speaking to the South Devon Herald after the match, Buckle commented: "I think Chris Hargreaves showed against a good forward pair that he can play centre-back.

"He was dominant in the air, and recovered well when he had to. I really think he can be a success for us there. He will only get better."

Before adding: "From what I have seen, I believe we are ahead of where we were at this time last year, but that's down to the players to a certain extent.

"We put on the training sessions, but we don't even have to demand the effort and commitment they put in - it's there without us asking for it."

Meanwhile former Gull and Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope stated: "We expected a tough test, and we certainly got it. We expect Torquay to be up there in the Conference this season.

"I am sure Paul will be pleased, and it was a progressive step for us. It could have been a higher scoring draw."