Simon King’s first goal in a Gillingham shirt for over three years was enough to help seal all three points and end the winless run at Priestfield on Saturday.
His 51st minute diving header was enough to get Andy Hessenthaler’s side back to winning ways and back in with a chance of a play-off position.
Danny Kedwell’s spot kick in injury time sealed the game when Gavin Tomlin was hauled down by Joe Oastler with the Torquay man sent off in the process.
Andy Hessenthaler went into the game with the same side for a third game on the trot, keeping faith with the youthful element of defence and it was to pay dividends.
It could have been a disastrous start though when Danny Stevens cut in from the left hand side before unleashing a curling effort that came off Gazzaniga’s far post and away to safety.
The early wake up call paid dividends for Gillingham and they began to get a slight stranglehold on the game with Jack Payne’s effort from distance deflected just wide, while Curtis Weston played through Jo Kuffour, only for the former Torquay striker to be snuffed out at the death.
At the other end, former Gills loan striker Rene Howe was proving to be a real thorn in the Gillingham defence and on another day and with better finishing could have bagged at least a couple of goals.
Late on in the half, Weston’s free kick was headed just over by Kuffour, whilst Mark Ellis miss a guilt edged chance for Torquay to take the lead.
The opening goal of the game finally came six minutes into the second period after a frenetic opening few minutes when Danny Jackman’s corner was flicked on by Danny Kedwell right into the path of King who made no mistake with his diving header.
Cue pure joy for the Rainham End who were clearly delighted for the defender who last scored for Gillingham against Macclesfield on Saturday 21st February 2009.
Both sides traded chances as the game wore on and it looked to be heading to a single goal win for The Gills when in the last minute Brian Saah was penalised for hauling down Gavin Tomlin.
It looked to have been a case of mistaken identity on referee Jock Waugh’s part and he looked less keen to have given the penalty anyway. Ultimately, Joe Oastler receieved his marching orders and Kedwell stepped up to slam home the spot kick to give The Gills only their second win of 2012.
FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM 2-0 TORQUAY UNITED
Saturday’s win takes Gillingham back up to tenth in League Two, six points outside the play-offs with a game in hand and Hereford United visit Priestfield on Tuesday night.
Gillingham line up: Gazzaniga, Evans, Essam, King, Jackman, Tomlin, J Payne, Weston (C Lee 71), Whelpdale, Kuffour (Montrose 79), Kedwell.
Subs not used: Richards, Martin, O Lee.
Goals: King (51), Kedwell (pen (90+4)
Booked: J Payne (74), Gazzaniga (85).
Torquay line up: Olejnik, Nicholson, Ellis, Saah, Mansell, O’Kane, Morris (Atieno 63), Oastler, Stevens, Lathrope (McPhee 81), Howe.
Subs not used: Rice, Rowe-Turner, MacDonald.
Booked: Howe (5).
Sent Off: Oastler (90+3).
Referee: Mr Jock Waugh
Attendance: 4,865 (236 Torquay)