Devon fans unite to cheer Torquay United to precious victory in bid to beat the drop

Recalled skipper Asa Hall slotted home the winner from the penalty spot as the Gulls kept their first clean sheet in six matches

Interim boss Aaron Downes had goosebumps as Torquay were roared to victory by a partisan Devonian crowd.

The Gulls beat high-flying Hampton & Richmond 1-0 to move five points clear of the National League South drop-zone.

A Plainmoor crowd of more than 3,000 was swelled by Plymouth and Exeter fans whose clubs were without a game on what the Gulls billed as Devon Day.

Downes told BBC Radio Devon: "I had goosebumps. The yellow, green, red army - everyone played their part today."

Torquay had won just one of their previous 12 league games and were docked 10 points earlier this month, which dragged the beleaguered Gulls into the scrap to avoid relegation.

However, the hosts produced an assured display to dent the Londoners' promotion push, the only goal coming after 28 minutes as recalled skipper Asa Hall beat Adam Desbois from the penalty spot after Brad Ash had been tripped in the box.

Hampton & Richmond piled on pressure after the break but Downes said the backing of United's third biggest crowd of the season had seen them over the line.

He said: "Since I have been here the supporters have always been fantastic when you're playing well and doing well. It's important when we're 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go.

"I had goosebumps on the back of my neck because the supporters really played their part and drove us on - gave us that little bit of energy that we needed. I can't praise them enough. Everyone at the club has played their part today.

"In the first half we were entertaining, showed enthusiasm, good quality, we dominated the game in the first half and it was really impressive," he added.

"We knew they were going to throw everything at it in the second half, but the boys stood up to it. They are a good side, they are fourth in the division, so it's a good performance from us and a great three points."