Crawley boss Steve Evans

Torquay 1-2 Crawley Town

Steve Evans' Crawley Town edged out Torquay United in a closely contested affair at Plainmoor on Saturday evening.

The encounter started in a typically conservative fashion but was brought to life by a brilliant bit of individualistic skill.

Crawley's Ryan Hall pounced on a loose ball and let loose a right-footed volley that flew into the bottom-left corner from 18 yards out.

The Red Devils fought hard to extend their slender lead and got the breakthrough they were looking for in the 85th minute thanks to a well-placed effort from Jamie Cook.

Torquay's Tim Sills managed to pull one back just two minutes later with a header into the top-right corner but it was too little, too late as Crawley held on for the win.

Torquay bookings: Robertson 49, Phillips 63, Ellis 79.

Crawley bookings: Thomas 62.

Ref: O Langford.

Att: 3121.