A muddy and boggy Plainmoor pitch was what greeted Darlington's players as they arrived at Torquay United looking to extend their unbeaten run to ten games. Heavy rain overnight had left the pitch looking like a swamp with the middle particularly bad. Despite the state of the pitch Torquay, in desperate need of the cash, and Darlington, unwilling to make another mammoth trip in midweek, both agreed to give the game a chance to go ahead.

In the week Torquay have had to endure however the state of the pitch was small news. Unpopular former Chairman Chris Roberts was ousted in midweek as he was forced to resign, his stay at the Devon club lasting just a handful of months. With the off the pitch drama over Torquay could finally concentrate on rescuing their Football League status. The Gulls had escaped the drop last season but once again found themselves in trouble at the foot of League Two. Seven points adrift of safety the hosts needed a minor miracle ahead of kick-off to survive the drop into the conference.

With only one win in the last twenty league outings for the Gulls that escape was looking hard to believe in. Recent games though have seen Torquay turn in some good performances against Hartlepool United and Rochdale and were unlucky not to get something. Given that the hosts had climbed out of a similar predicament last season Quakers were well warned.

Darlington left back Evan Horwood was fit enough to play after picking up a knock during the midweek win over Accrington Stanley. Meanwhile Ricky Ravenhill partnered Michael Cummins in the centre of the park whilst Julian Joachim dropped to the bench as manager Dave Penney switched back to 4-4-2.

Five minutes ahead of kick-off incoming chairman Keith Richardson and manager Keith Curle rallied the home support but it was Darlington who made the better start. An early free kick just inside the Darlington half was sent long and Tommy Wright beat Kevin Miller to the ball only to see his goalbound header diverted over the bar for a corner kick by Torquay's Lee Andrews.

Darlington's chance with barley a minute on the clock underlined just how valuable set pieces could be in this encounter with the terrible pitch making free flowing football virtually impossible. The opening stages of the game saw the ball scrapped over in midfield with the home side creating a brief spell of pressure following Quakers' opening move.

Darlington goalkeeper Lee Jones was called into action on ten minutes to catch a Mark Robinson freekick delivered from the right but the Gulls failed to use the opportunity as wisely as the visitors. Close to the quarter of an hour mark Martin Smith, still suffering from illness, saw an accurate goal bound volley, from a deep Cummins cross well caught by the Torquay keeper. At the other end of the pitch the hosts had a glorious chance to register what would have been a rare goal. The hard working Lee Mansell crossed from the right only for Lee Thorpe to head wide of the target when he should have done far better.

Quakers' defender Ian Miller, on loan from Ipswich Town, was given the chance to shoot from inside the box when the ball held up in the mud. However his namesake in between the sticks was equal to the effort. Two minutes later Smith's cross the left was cleared but once again the ball held up and it allowed Cummins to send a shot wide from twenty yards out under pressure which went wide of the mark.

If the pitch did not play a part in at least one goal this afternoon it would have to be considered a major shock. A long clearance from the Darlington rearguard found Gregg Blundell after the ball, which would have otherwise ran through to the keeper, held up to allow the former Chester man to play in Tommy Wright who could not make the most of the opening from a difficult angle as the home defence got back in time to snuff out the opportunity.

The hosts had a number of decent chances to carve out an opening in the final ten minutes of the first half. Ali John scampered down the right flank in one of the few decent parts of the pitch. His efforts though were undermined by a lack of bodies in the penalty area. Darlington went close again soon after with Ravenhilll setting up Wright who shot wide from the edge of the area. In between times Jones was called to make a good save from a long range shot by the hosts as the first half finished deadlocked.

Whilst the visitors had enjoyed the better of the limited chances during the first period the pitch was proving something of a leveller - if the recent form tables are to be believed. Much had been made of the fitness when Penney was first installed as the Darlington manager and today was one of the biggest tests with the surface capable of sapping energy quickly.

Torquay made a bright start to the second half forcing Quakers onto the back foot without forcing Jones into a save. Ravenhill saw a shot from a corner kick blocked before lashing the rebound well wide as the game remainded tightly poised. Two chances arrived in the space of a couple of minutes from both sides. Smith first cross for the free figure of Miller in the area but the youngster's header, looking to add to his debut goal, was well off target. At the other end Lloyd Kerry managed to slide onto John's cross at the near post which Jones had little trouble dealing with.

Shortly after the hour mark the game flared for a brief moment after Blundell slid in under Andrews. The pair got tangled up as they tried to climb to their feet and players from both sides piled in. The end result was yellow cards issued to the pair. A few minutes later Darlington removed Wright for Alun Armstrong and a minute after the Quakers' substitution the experienced Dean Gordon sent a freekick from thirty-five yards out crashing wide.

With twenty-minutes left Miller nearly handed Torquay a golden chance. The youngster attempted to shepard the ball back to Jones on the edge of the box but Thorpe was close by and sniffing for an opening. Miller however just about did enough to prevent the Torquay number nine getting possession.

Having enjoyed a good start to the second half Torquay got themselves back on top as the game entered the final stages. Jones was called to push a low shot wide of the post for a corner kick as the Gulls finally looked like turning their decent spells into something which could yield them only their second goal in five games.

Joachim was introduced for Smith with thirteen minutes left however it was the hosts who continued to look more likely with first Kerry shooting well wide from a dangerous position before the Gulls saw a shot blocked on the edge of the area. Just as Torquay looked likely to grab a point towards their battle Darlington struck as they turned defence into attack down the right. Neil Wainwright cleared down the right and his clearance found Blundell whose cross found substitute Joachim who slotted home to give the visitors an eighty-sixth minute lead which they hung onto.

Torquay United: Miller, Angus (McKoy 27), Andrews, Gordon, Mansell, Smith, Hockley (Hill 73), Robinson, Thorpe, Kerry, John (Easter 58). Subs: Horsell, Easter, McKoy, Hill, McPhee.

Darlington: Jones, Wainwright, Cummins, Blundell, Smith (Joachim 78), Miller, Rowson, Wright (Armstrong 63), Horwood, Wheater, Ravenhill (Keltie 87). Subs: Stockdale, James, Keltie, Joachim, Armstrong.

Torquay United bookings: Andrews.

Darlington bookings: Horwood, Blundell.

Goals: Joachim 87th min (1-0).

Report by Kevin Luff.