Torquay 3-2 Oxford Utd

Torquay United strengthened their promotion credentials after coming out on top in a five-goal thriller at Plainmoor on Tuesday evening.

The visitors got off to the best possible start when Craig McAllister raced onto a Matthew Green through ball and placed his left-footed effort in the bottom-left corner.

The Gulls drew level in the 40th minute thanks to Chris Zebroski's 12-yard finish and the frontman was on target again in the 77th minute, this time with a 12-yard shot into the bottom-right corner.

Oxford were still reeling from that goal when the referee awarded Torquay a penalty for Michael Howard's handball in the area.

Tim Sills calmly slotted home the resulting spot kick to give his side a two-goal cushion with ten minute left on the clock.

Oxford were awarded a penalty at the other end of the pitch just six minutes later when Torquay's Chris Robertson fouled Justin Richards and Adam Murray made no mistake with the resulting spot kick.

However, it turned out to be nothing more than a consolation as the home side held on to collect the three points.

Torquay bookings: Hargreaves 38, Phillips 45, Mansell 90.

Oxford bookings: Foster 22, Green 45, Anaclet 71.

Ref: D Coote.

Att: 2241.