Torquay 0 Argyle 2

TYLER Harvey scored twice to ensure victory for the Pilgrims in this entertaining development friendly with Torquay United.

The goals came in a crazy four minutes straight after the interval, as Harvey scored first from the spot and then doubled his tally with a cheeky lob.

The Argyle team-sheet was a statement of manager John Sheridan's intent to use this game as a serious work-out, with the vastly experienced captain Paul Wotton headlining a Pilgrims side packed with League knowledge.

As such, the Pilgrims started the brighter and United were grateful to a sliced finish from Harvey after he found space in the left channel.

Gulls defender Jack Deaman was then to the fore, producing an excellent block on a skidding drive from Luke Young.

The best Yellow chance of the opening 15 minutes fell to Benyon but the bouncing ball refused to fall nicely before Jamie Richards could intervene for the visitors, who soon had Lavercombe’s crossbar rattling following an exquisite free-kick by Andre Blackman.

A deep cross from Wotton then had Richards heading inches over. United responded with a sublime cross-field pass from Craig, allowing Sullivan to cut inside and warm the hands of Argyle ‘keeper Jake Cole.

Young was next to the fore, thundering a swerving shot from distance that Torquay 'keeper Dan Lavercombe could only parry into the path of Harvey but his netted rebound was quickly ruled out for offside.

The final act of the first half saw Yeoman head towards goal only for Richards to clear off the line. 

The second half started brilliantly for the Pilgrims when Deaman’s slack control allowed Isaac Vassell in to run on goal, forcing Lavercombe into a challenge that led to a clear penalty, confidently stroked home by Harvey.

The same Pilgrim struck again two minutes later, sneaking in behind the home defence before executing a fine lob over the advancing Lavercombe.

The porous nature of the Yellow backline continued to be a problem for the home side as Andres Gurrieri found the space for a meandering run and shot that drifted narrowly past the upright. The Argentine was then denied by a brave block from Deaman.

Torquay United (4-4-2): 13 Dan Lavercombe; 2 Levi Ives, 5 Jack Deaman, 32 Jake Hutchings, 21 Thomas Cruise; 15 Niall Thompson, 7 Damon Lathrope, 20 Nathan Craig, 31 Daniel Sullivan; 14 Ashley Yeoman, 26 Elliot Benyon (9 Kevin McCallion 52). Substitutes (not used): 3 Jamie Alexandrou, 4 Sam Chaney, 8 Josh Lynch, 11 Chris Coleman.

Argyle (4-4-2): 1 Jake Cole; 4 Maxine Blanchard, 5 Paul Wotton (16 Kieran Sakyi 80), 6 Jamie Richards, 2 Ben Purrington (14 Ryan Lane h-t); 7 Andres Gurrieri, 8 Luke Young (18 Josh Hutchinson 80), 10 Curtis Nelson (17 River Allen h-t), 3 Andre Blackman; 11 Isaac Vassell (15 Soloman Wheatley 73), 9 Tyler Harvey.

Referee: Dave Goard