Cambridge secured their play-off place and cut the gap on opponents Torquay to three points with a deserved win.

Gulls defender Kevin Nicholson went close with a 16th-minute free-kick, but after that Cambridge took over.

Mark Beesley was denied by a fine save from Simon Rayner but opened the scoring 10 minutes later when he rifled the ball into the bottom corner.

And the U's forward made it two before the break, when Dan Gleeson crossed for him to slot home.

Cambridge Utd: Potter, Morrison, Albrighton, Hatswell, Brown, Gleeson, Wolleaston, Reed, Pitt, Boylan (McEvilly 46), Beesley (Vieira 90).
Subs Not Used: Peters, Farrell, Willmott.

Booked: Reed, Albrighton.

Goals: Beesley 41, 45.

Torquay: Rayner, Mansell (Mullings 75), Robertson, Todd, Nicholson, D'Sane (Bedeau 24), Hockley, Hargreaves, Zebroski (Hill 89), Sills, Phillips.
Subs Not Used: Rice, Ellis.

Att: 4,100

Ref: S Hooper (Swindon).