Torquay United beat nine-man Maidenhead 4-0

Torquay United got their biggest victory in five months as they won 4-0 at nine-man Maidenhead United in National League South.

The win - Torquay's third of the season - moves them up to eighth place in the table as they claimed back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

The Gulls could have scored more, having three goals disallowed as they produced a fine performance.

"I'm really pleased with the way we started," manager Jimmy Ball told BBC Radio Devon.

"I thought our first 15 minutes, we were really front-footed, we were really on top and we were really bright and sharp.

"That led to their right-sided centre-half getting booked, their left-sided centre-half getting booked and then ultimately if the left-sided boy doesn't make that tackle, we're on a counter-attack, so he had to make a rash tackle, and got himself sent off.

"We were on top so strongly they had to make those challenges, so we forced that - so the start I was really, really pleased with."

The hosts had Jordon Ragguette sent off after just 12 minutes for a reckless challenge on debutant Caleb Roberts .

It gave the Gulls the ascendency but Deon Moore had two goals ruled out for offside as the first half ended goalless.

Ragguette's defensive partner George Abbott was then sent off early in the second half for two yellow cards, and Ball's men finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Cody Cooke converted from close range after Moore had headed back Angelo Cappello's cross.

Sonny-Blu Lo-Everton curled in an excellent second goal from the edge of the box four minutes later before Cooke had a goal ruled out for offside.

But the Gulls scored twice in the final seven minutes - Dan Hayfield made it 3-0 before Roberts' fellow Plymouth Argyle loanee, Tegan Finn, fired in low from the edge of the area for a debut goal.

It was an important win for Ball, who has been under pressure from sections of the Torquay support.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists have had a a stuttering start to the season, having won just one of their first six games before their recent resurgence.

"I just want to keep moving this team forward," added Ball. "There's been a lot of change, a lot of transition as a club, so it's not going to be smooth sailing

"I just need people to understand what I'm trying to do and and back what we're trying to do here because we are trying to change a few things to get a different result at the end of the season."