Gulls end long wait for win
Last Updated: March 19, 2013 10:33pm
Rene Howe: On the score-sheet again
Torquay claimed their first win in 11 games by beating Chesterfield 2-1 at Plainmoor, with Rene Howe's early strike proving decisive.
On-loan Notts County midfielder Joss Labadie got the relegation-threatened Gulls off to a flying start with his second-minute goal, heading home a cross from forward-thinking left-back Thomas Cruise in Tuesday night's League Two clash.
United's joy was doubled six minutes later, on their second attack, as winger Jordan Chapell's thumping goalbound drive was back-heeled past Spireites keeper Tommy Lee by target man Howe.
Man-of-the-match Howe then sent a 25-yard shot screaming past Lee, skimming inches past the post, before heading just wide in the next attack.
Labadie and on-loan Southend striker Elliot Benyon both went close before home keeper Michael Poke went full stretch to palm over Conor Townsend's thumping free-kick strike.
Chesterfield set United nerves jangling when Liam Cooper headed home sub Mark Randall's cross in the 77th minute.
But United held firm with central defenders Brian Saah and Angus MacDonald resolute in front of busy Poke, giving Alan Knill his first win in charge.
Matches
-
npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
