Paul Buckle joined Torquay from Exeter City in the summer of 2007

Torquay United boss Paul Buckle is proud of the way his men have performed in maintaining their unbeaten run.

The Gulls' 3-1 win at Rushden and Diamonds on Sunday was their eighth match without defeat, the longest league run of Buckle's tenure.

"The players have put in a phenomenal amount of effort of late and the run now is the best since we've seen at the club," Buckle told BBC Radio Devon.

"Eighth in the league is very good. It's been built on hard work."

Buckle took over as Torquay boss in June 2007 following their relegation from the Football League. And he was close to taking them back at the first attempt in May, only for the Gulls to lose to Exeter City in the play-off semi-finals.

His previous best unbeaten league run was his first seven games in charge last season, when the Gulls won five and drew two to pick up 17 points out of possible 21.

But they also went on a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions throughout January and February, when they won four and drew three in the Blue Square Premier, while pulling off three victories in the FA Trophy.

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