Buckland Athletic’s reign as holders of the St Lukes Devon Bowl came to an end as they beaten by Torquay United at the Quarter Final stage.
The Newton Abbot based side, who went into the match as defending champions after winning the competition in 2011 and 2012, lead through an early Simon Revell strike before an equaliser from Jack May and a Saul Halpin brace saw off their challenge.
It was also a case of third time lucky for the visiting Gulls as they had been eliminated by Buckland at this stage of the competition two years running.
In the opening minutes, a third straight win for Buckland looked likely when Revell latched onto a flick-on from Player-Manager Anthony Lynch to give them an 11th minute lead.
On 22 minutes, Gavin Hammon looked well placed to score a second for Buckland, only to be denied by a last gasp tackle from Gulls defender Angus MacDonald.
Two minutes later, Torquay equalised when second year apprentice May slotted home following good build up play involving Ashley Yeoman and Danny Sullivan.
In the second half, the Gulls moved up a gear and edged ahead in the 56th minute when a through ball from left back Tom Cruise picked out Halpin who raced clear on goal before rounding Buckland keeper Kenny Griffiths to tap home.
Halpin completed his brace on 64 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot after Yeoman was felled in the area by Luke Horrocks.
However, Buckland refused to go down without a fight as substitute Jamie Mudge brought the best out of Gulls keeper Martin Rice in the 74th minute.
With three minutes to go Horrocks had a volley tipped onto the cross bar by Rice and behind for a corner, much to the relief of the visitors who are currently awaiting the draw for the Semi-Finals to be made as much of the competition has been held up by the wet and rainy weather of recent months.
