THE young Pilgrims were able to celebrate their first victory of the season after this closely-fought Youth Alliance Cup encounter at Newton Abbot Racecourse.

Despite the difficult windy conditions, both teams tried to play passing football but struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Argyle central-defender Ryan Leonard broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when he rose high, at the far post, to head home a right-wing corner from midfielder Jordan Copp.

Six minutes later, skipper Sean Kinsella drove a 20-yard free-kick narrowly over the Gulls crossbar.

Two good saves, in close succession, by visiting 'keeper Oliver Chenoweth prevented the Gulls from equalising shortly before the interval.

First, he used his legs to block a shot from home striker Ray Spear before punching away Ryan Beattie's follow-up effort.

With the wind behind them, Torquay enjoyed more possession in the second-half and midfielder Scott Taylor's 25-yard drive forced Chenoweth to produce another excellent save.

Tempers began to fray as both teams were penalised for fouls in the tense closing stages.

Chenoweth pulled off another superb save, two minutes from time, from an 18-yard free-kick by Gull's skipper Ed Palmer which had been harshly awarded for handball against Leonard.

Argyle need to win their outstanding game away to Yeovil to qualify for the second stage of the League Cup.