George Thomson marked his first competitive start with the winner to ensure Chester FC 's mammoth midweek trek to the English Riviera did not go unrewarded.

Thomson, who had made four substitute appearances since completing his move from Kings Lynn Town, justified his selection when he blasted home from close range in the 30th minute.

Torquay pushed hard in the second-half with Jon Worsnop producing a series of important saves but with Ben Henghan and the returning Michael Kay again impressing as a partnership the Blues kept the Gulls out, making the 500 mile round trip worthwhile and undoing some of the weekend's derby disappointment.

With Keiran Charnock and Sean McConville ruled out and Matty Hughes on the bench, the starting team showed three changes from the 1-0 defeat at Wrexham on Saturday.

Michael Kay returned from suspension alongside Heneghan, Kingsley James partnered Brad Abbott in midfield with John Rooney pushed further forward and George Thomson replaced the absent McConville.

Torquay had been considered a serious promotion chance earlier in the campaign but a run of just one win in nine games had seen them slide down the table.

Gulls boss Chris Hargreaves brought Ben Harding, Louis Briscoe, Olivier Gueguen and Toby Ajala back as he looked to find a response to the weekend's 1-0 loss at home to bottom club AFC Telford United.

Both teams had sniffs of goal in an entertaining start with Martin Rice saving from Thomson, Ryan Bowman heading over and James nodding a corner wide.

Worsnop made a smart stop from Bowman and Luke Young's free kick deflected onto the crossbar as the Gulls pressed, but Chester hit the front on the half hour when Thomson fired home from 10 yards out and the lead remained 1-0 at the end of the first-half.

The game turned scrappier in the second period and although Torquay created more chances, few of them could be considered clearcut.

Worsnop denied Young, Bowman and Aaron Downes before Abbott drilled a shot wide and Rice blocked a Thomson effort as the Blues looked for a second goal to put the game to bed.

Hughes replaced Thomson for the final 15 minutes as the game opened up with Rice saving an Oliver McBurnie header and Worsnop pulling off two great saves from Young.

Rooney twice forced Rice into action in the closing stages and although the Gulls threw men forward Chester's rearguard held tight to secure a fine three points.

Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Heneghan, Kay (Brown 90), Roberts, James, Abbott, Rooney, Thomson (Hughes 75), Mahon, McBurnie (Hobson 90).

Subs: Viscosi, K Richards.

Goal: Thomson 30.

Booked: Hobson.

Torquay United: Rice, Gueguen, Downes, Pearce, Dawson (Campbell 85), Brisoce (Yeoman 76), Young, Harding (C Richards 76), Ajala, Chappell, Bowman.

Subs: Cameron, Reid.

Booked: Pearce.

Referee: David Rock (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 1,221.