Torquay United vs Port Vale. Sky Bet League Two.
PlainmoorAttendance3,136.
Saturday 24 March 2012 18:36, UK
On-loan striker Ryan Jarvis scored his first goal for promotion-chasing Torquay to see off 10-man Port Vale 2-1.
Jarvis, signed from Walsall a month ago, completed a second-half turnaround after Vale had young centre-back Joe Davis sent off in the 69th minute. Torquay started well, Rene Howe muscling past John McCombe and Vale goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson before hitting the side-netting. But for the rest of the first half Vale, forcing six corners without reply, called the tune and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 29th minute. Torquay defender Joe Oastler failed to clear Chris Shuker's left-wing cross and McCombe controlled the loose ball before firing home from 15 yards. The hosts, off the pace, did not test Tomlinson until the hour mark but a penalty incident changed everything in the 71st minute as referee Darren Sheldrake sent off Davis, who was the last defender when he brought down Howe - the striker dispatching the spot-kick for his 13th goal of the season. Torquay poured on the pressure and just three minutes later Jarvis rose at the far post to power home Eunan O'Kane's corner. Damon Lathrope then hit the crossbar from 25 yards while Vale substitute Ben Williamson also hit the woodwork near the end as the visitors came within a whisker of clinching an equaliser.
