Torquay had goalkeeper Kevin Dearden to thank as they held on to a slender lead for victory at Plainmoor.

An Alex Russell penalty in the 73rd minute proved to be the winner, but Rovers threw everything into trying to rescue a point in the closing moments.

The visitors went into the lead in the fourth minute when Giuliano Grazioli fired home from 16 yards on his debut.

Torquay went close to equalising when skipper David Woozley headed against the post.

And they got back on level terms thanks to a close-range header from loan striker Martin Gritton on the stroke of half-time.

With 17 minutes remaining, Trevor Challis pulled down Tony Bedeau to give Russell the chance to score from the spot.

But equally important was a last-minute save by Dearden when he parried Justin Richards' point-blank header, and somehow kept out the rebound.