Bromley deservedly secured their first win of the season in an absorbing and spirited encounter against Torquay United at Hayes Lane on Tuesday evening.

A late Louis Dennis strike stunned the diehard 274 travelling support in a game with both teams revelling in the cooler conditions.

Bromley manager, Andy Woodman made two changes from the team that started in the lacklustre draw against Altrincham at the weekend bringing in Forster and Alexander to give the team greater energy.

Both teams started with a sense of urgency with Bromley moving the ball well. The first action of note saw Marshall booked in the sixth minute after being turned by Cheek with Whitely’s resulting low free kick being comfortably saved by Halsted.

Bromley repeatedly threatened down the left through Hannam and through the centre with Alexander’s direct running nearly paying dividends in the 12th minute. Whitely robbed the defender and pulled the ball back to the oncoming Alexander whose shot was somehow deflected over the bar off the back of the defender. Bromley dominated possession and the dangerous set piece delivery of Hannam continued to test the Torquay defence.

In the 15th minute, Alexander weaved his way into the box and fired his shot through a crowd of players only for Halsted to deftly turn it onto the bar. In the 20th minute, Bingham slipped in Cheek whose off-target shot was nearly prodded home by the lively Alexander. Alexander could have had a hat-trick already.

Minutes later, while former Crystal Palace player, Dean Moxey, lay injured in the Bromley box his Torquay teammates launched a rare counter attack which after good work on the left by Lapslie saw the ball tapped into the net by Goodwin. Fortunately for Bromley the offside flag was up and the goal was disallowed.

After a sustained period of domination by Bromley, Torquay started to get back into the game and tried to get behind the Bromley defence, but Charles-Cook patrolled his area well and his defence remained alert and steadfast.

In the 41st minute, Marshall was living dangerously again when he pulled back Cheek on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was hustled out for a corner. Hamman’s delivery was again exceptional, and the ball fell to Cheek. Unfortunately, he sliced his shot, but Alexander lunged at the ball and was close to making a connection.

Bromley started the second half brightly but seemed to lack the creative spark that could open up Torquay’s resolute defence. Woodman had seen enough and acted decisively and in the 57th minute he brought on the skilful Dennis and Coleman.

The game turned in the 62nd minute. Sowunmi hooked the ball out of his own area and as the ball looped high in the air Cheek suddenly found himself behind the last man and through on goal. The hapless Marshall had no choice but to haul Cheek to the ground and face the inevitable red card to cap a wretched evening.

Torquay regrouped and tried to dig in, but Bromley was enjoying more and more possession and the crowd sensed that a goal was coming.

After a spell of sustained pressure, Dennis duly delivered in the 71st minute as he picked up the ball and drifted in from the left and crashed an unstoppable 25 yard shot into the top right-hand corner past the despairing glove of Halsted.

Bromley controlled the remainder of the game and could have extended their lead through shots from Forster and a wonderful run from Whitely that saw him glide past three defenders only to send a crashing low volley against the post.

A good night’s work for Bromley and they will travel to Aldershot on Saturday with high expectations.

Bromley: Charles-Cook, Hannam (57 Dennis), Bush, Webster, Sowunmi, Forster, Bingham (78 Reynolds), Vennings (57 Coleman), Whitely, Cheek, Alexander.

Unused Subs: Bloomfield, Fisher.

Torquay United: Halsted, Crowe, Lapslie (64 Hall), Omar, Marshall, Hanson, McGavin, Wyatt (78 Evans), Goodwin, Moxey, Hughes (64 Tomlinson).

Unused Subs: Lovett, Iseguan.

Attendance: 2026 (274 from Torquay)