Torquay suffered their first home defeat of the season in the Blue Square Premier today when a late winner from Rob Wolleaston clinched victory for Cambridge United.

Paul Buckle was forced to make a number of changes to his starting line-up for the game, Mark Ellis and Chris Robertson formed a new centre-back partnership in place of the injured Steve Woods and the suspended Chris Todd. Up front Lee Phillips failed to pass a fitness test and was replaced by Elliot Benyon for his first start for United, Chris Hargreaves took the Captain's armband in place of Woods. The match started with Torquay pressing and forcing two early corners but Cambridge showed their intent with a shot from Wolleaston but his shot was easily saved by Simon Rayner. Tim Sills came closest to opening the scoring in the first quarter of an hour when he latched on to a deflected Kevin Nicholson cross but his header flashed passed the far post and out of range of Elliot Benyon. Torquay were trying to give Cambridge plenty to think about and Chris Zebroski and Ishmael Welsh were swopping wings early on.

A smart pass from Lee Mansell clipped over the defence put Chris Zebroski in but his shot was too weak to trouble McShane in the Cambridge goal. Tim Sills had another shot just after the half hour but again there was not enough power in it to trouble the 'keeper. Both sides were trying to play football and although a few passes were misplaced there was good intent from two committed teams. The first booking didn't come until the 38th minute when Pitt came in late from behind on Tony Bedeau. Ironically it was Pitt who collected the ball soon after and sent a looping ball in to the Torquay penalty area, Lee Boylan was the first to react and was unmarked as he looped a header over a stranded Simon Rayner for the opening goal.

The home side needed an immediate response and it came only 90 seconds later. Chris Zebroski found some room out on the right and his cross was collected by Tony Bedeau who had pushed up, Bedeau's shot was blocked but found it's way to Elliot Benyon who hit a low drive which was well blocked by McShane, the ball ran free and like all good poachers Elliot was first to get to the loose ball and score passed the two defenders on the line. Torquay were  back in the game but needing to be alert, Cambridge are a team playing with confidence and ex-Gull Steven Reed gave a good account of himself for the 90 minutes along with Mark Albrighton at the back for the visitors.

The second half started much the same as the first, with Torquay pressing well and forcing the issue but unable to create any clear chances. Just five minutes into the half and both Tony Bedeau and Mark Ellis picked up ankle knocks, Bedeau's looked the more serious and, although both players picked themselves up and carried on, Tony had to be replaced six minutes later by Kevin Hill.

Chris Zebroski was looking most likely to put the Gulls into the lead and after another driving run his shot was too central and McShane gathered the ball at the second attempt. Tim Sills and Mark Albright exchanged differing views on the hour mark and Mr Sarginson had to calm both players down with a booking apeice. From the resultant free-kick Kevin Nicholson sent one of his trademark crosses into the area but the very impressive Mark Eiils couldn't keep his header down. Danny Stevens almost made an immediate impact after he replaced Ishmael Welsh when he latched on to a flick from Tim Sills and showed great strength to hold off a challenging defender but his shot looped over the crossbar.

So often this season Torquay have pushed teams back in the second half of games and scored vital goals, this match looked to be going the same way as the minutes ticked on and the home team were having the better possesssion but today there was a sting in the tail, one minute Chris Zebroski was attacking down the right, the next moment Rob Wolleaston was dribbling in to the United penalty area, defenders seemed to back off him and he gladly looked up and bobbled a shot passed a diving Simon Rayner, daylight robbery it certainly wasn't but it was tough on a Torquay team that, as always, were pushing for the win. Five added minutes added were not enough for United to raise another attack on the Cambridge goal so all eyes will now move to next week and the visit of Yeovil in the F.A. Cup.