Torquay United make Aaron Downes proud after 4-1 Dartford win

Duane Ofori-Acheampong scored for the first time since re-joining Torquay United earlier this year

Torquay United interim manager Aaron Downes says he is proud of his side after their 4-1 win over Dartford.

The victory was Torquay's first in National League South since the club announced its intention to appoint administrators and manager Gary Johnson subsequently left Plainmoor.

Aaron Jarvis, Arkell Jude-Boyd and Brad Ash all scored in a four-minute spell soon after a goalless first period.

Ibrahim Akanbi got one back before Duane Ofori-Acheampong's late fourth.

"The people that deserve the credit are the players, they had to believe that they could go out and win a football match and they did, they were superb," Downes told BBC Radio Devon.

"The first half we were happy with parts of it without a final product or cutting edge really, and they rectified that in the second half and they come out absolutely flying.

"That's something that this football club was craving, and needed, and the boys delivered it for them, so I'm ever so proud of the players."

The victory sees Torquay move up to 11th in National League South, 14 points above the relegation zone.

But having announced their intention to appoint administrators after owner Clarke Osborne said he could no longer fund the club, the Gulls face a possible 10-point deduction.

"Results breed confidence, breed momentum and we know they have got the quality," added Downes.

"It's just a case of having that confidence and then winning a football match.

"That's what they've done today because we've scored a couple of goals but then been pegged back to get a couple of draws in the last couple of games.

"So the really pleasing thing is that they held on; they sucked up a bit of pressure late on in the second half and then went on and produced another goal.

"I celebrated like I'd scored the goal for Duane. He deserves that because he has worked ever so hard and is coming back after 10 years - he's an old teammate of mine. I was just so pleased for him because that meant a lot to him and meant a lot to all the players."