Torquay United 1-5 Braintree Town

Daniel Sparkes had scored just four league goals this season before his hat-trick at Plainmoor

Torquay United suffered their biggest home league defeat in almost 20 years as Braintree cruised to victory.

Daniel Sparkes scored either side of a John Campbell equaliser to put the visitors ahead at half time.

Sparkes completed his hat-trick with a left-footed shot before Matt Paine and Ryan Peters secured a win for Braintree on their first visit to Torquay.

The Gulls had not lost as heavily at home since going down to a club-record 8-1 loss to Scunthorpe in October 1995.

The defeat was the first time Torquay, who were relegated from the Football League last season, had conceded five goals at home since October 2011.

Braintree go above them into 15th place in the Conference, with the Gulls dropping to 17th.