It was a case of many happy returns for Gary Owers as Torquay United completed their first win of the season on his 49th birthday in superb style against Maidenhead United.
Kick off was delayed due to the Maidenhead team coach being stuck on the M5, but when play eventually did get underway at 8:15pm it was the Gulls who flew out of the traps.
On four minutes Northern Ireland international Josh McQuoid nodded home a curling free-kick from Luke Young to score his first goal for the club since joining on loan from Luton Town.
Young went from being provider to scorer eight minutes later when he found the target - with his second goal of the season - from the edge of the penalty area after being expertly teed up by the industrious Jamie Reid.
In the 21st minute, Rhys Murphy - on loan from Forest Green Rovers - opened his account for the Gulls when he turned the ball home following a long throw in from Ryan Higgins, after his initial effort rebounded off a Maidenhead defender.
A minute before half-time, Reid struck to score his first goal of the season - following good work on the left hand side from the impressive Liam Davis and McQuoid on the left hand side - which effectively ended the game as a contest.
In the second half Maidenhead raised their game but were unable to find a consolation effort, as United's defence - marshalled by skipper Josh Gowling - stood firm.
The Gulls also had chances to add to their tally, as Reid and substitute Ruairi Keating both went close but it ultimately didn't matter as, at the 14th time of asking, United finally won their first match since defeating North Ferriby United on the final day of the 2016-17 campaign.
