Torquay beaten on penalties at Ivybridge

Despite a 90th minute equaliser by Southampton loanee Luke Pearce, Torquay United lost on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Ivybridge Town in the Bayside Graphics Devon St Luke’s Bowl First Round.

A Gulls XI, including six pros and five youth-team players, led the unbeaten Peninsula League Premier East leaders at half-time, with a goal from Ryan Hanson.

Ivybridge then seized the initiative with two goals in seven minutes early in the second half, and it took Pearce’s late strike to send the tie to a shoot-out.

But the hosts’ goalkeeper saved twice to clinch an upset at Erme Valley.

Torquay’s side included goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, Finley Craske, Calum Thomas, Dan Martin, Hanson and Pearce, with manager Gary Johnson completing the starting line-up and the bench with Under-18 players.