The Torquay United board's decision to replace manager Alan Knill with Chris Hargreaves paid immediate dividends as the Gulls beat AFC Wimbledon in their former promotion winning captain's first game in charge.
First half goals from Krystian Pearce and Jayden Stockley, Hargreaves' first signing on taking charge-on loan from his former club, AFC Bournemouth, proved to be enough to enable the Gulls to pick a valuable three points against the Dons.
However, it was not quite enough to lift Torquay out of the League Two relegation zone as Accrington Stanley drew with Newport County and Bristol Rovers beat Exeter City.
This means that the Gulls are locked on 26 points with Stanley and Rovers- occupying 23rd place in the table only on goal difference.
Next up for Torquay is bottom club Northampton next Saturday-who Hargreaves spent four years with between 2000 and 2004, and was considered for their vacant managerial vacancy-and three points for the Gulls in that fixture could have a dramatic effect on their current position.
