Micky Mellon's Fleetwood Town had to settle for a point from their first Football League match against Torquay.

But they could have marked their League Two debut with a victory after dominating the game for long spells.

Damien Johnson had an early shot blocked, while Shaun Beeley and Jon Parkin were denied by Gulls goalkeeper Michael Poke late in the second half.

Torquay's best chance fell to Ian Morris in the final five minutes, but he shot wide from 15 yards.

The visitors also had a goal disallowed, Rene Howe's late effort ruled out for a push inside the penalty area.

Play was held up for several minutes towards the end of the first half while a large divot, which had inexplicably appeared on the field, was repaired.

It was a satisfactory start to the season for both sides, who are among the favourites for promotion from the fourth tier.

Torquay reached the play-offs last term, while Fleetwood have added considerable Football League experience to their squad during the summer.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Torquay United manager Martin Ling told BBC Radio Devon:

"We had the clearer cut chances I feel, and in the second half I thought we were more like our old selves from last year.

"Defensively there were a lot of plus points, especially after the 4-0 against Leicester on Tuesday night (in the Capital One Cup).

"If we'd been a little better in attack, we'd have maybe won the game, but we'd have taken this result before the game."

Catch up with all the latest highlights from League Two on the Football League Show

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (3)

Fleetwood Town

  • 01 Davies
  • 02 Beeley
  • 03 Howell
  • 05 McNulty
  • 28 Mawene
  • 11 Nicholson Booked
  • 18 McGuire
  • 20 Johnson
  • 09 Parkin
  • 14 Mangan (Brown - 58' )
  • 26 Ball (Gillespie - 80' )

Substitutes

  • 16 Maxwell
  • 12 Brown
  • 13 Goodall
  • 15 McLaughlin
  • 10 Fowler
  • 27 Marrow
  • 19 Gillespie

Torquay United

  • 01 Poke
  • 02 Oastler
  • 03 Nicholson
  • 04 Downes
  • 05 Saah
  • 21 Cruise (Macklin - 71' )
  • 06 Lathrope
  • 07 Mansell
  • 11 Morris
  • 15 Bodin
  • 09 Howe

Substitutes

  • 13 Rice
  • 30 Mackenzie
  • 18 Easton
  • 20 Craig
  • 08 Jarvis
  • 14 Macklin
  • 23 Yeoman
Ref: Sarginson
Att: 3,624

Match Stats

Shots

22 13

On target

3 3

Corners

12 6

Fouls

9 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:11 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +2:39

Shot from long range by Ian Morris misses to the right of the target.

90:00 +1:57

Jon Parkin has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

90:00 +0:11

Youl Mawene concedes a free kick for a foul on Lloyd Macklin. Lee Mansell takes the direct free kick.

89:01

A cross is delivered by Dean Howell, clearance by Aaron Downes.

89:01

Dean Howell delivers the ball, clearance by Aaron Downes.

88:11

Junior Brown has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.

87:11

Barry Nicholson has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses right.

85:54

Ian Morris produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.

85:54

Ian Morris produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.

84:49

Free kick taken by Joe Oastler.

84:49 Booking

Booking Barry Nicholson receives a yellow card.

84:40

Barry Nicholson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lloyd Macklin.

81:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Lloyd Macklin on Shaun Beeley. Scott Davies restarts play with the free kick.

79:59

Billy Bodin takes a shot. Blocked by Steve McNulty. Jon Parkin fouled by Damon Lathrope, the ref awards a free kick. Jon Parkin has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

79:05 Substitution

Substitution David Ball goes off and Steven Gillespie comes on.

77:54

Foul by Aaron Downes on Jamie McGuire, free kick awarded. Barry Nicholson takes the direct free kick. Corner from the left by-line taken by Barry Nicholson, Headed effort from inside the area by Steve McNulty misses to the right of the target.

76:33

Lee Mansell takes a inswinging corner. Aaron Downes is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Scott Davies restarts play with the free kick.

76:17

Kevin Nicholson delivers the ball, Dean Howell gets a block in.

75:00

Lee Mansell has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright. Corner taken by Kevin Nicholson, Billy Bodin takes a shot. Save made by Scott Davies.

72:41

Shaun Beeley takes a shot. Barry Nicholson takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.

73:43

Jon Parkin takes a shot. Save by Scott Davies.

72:41

Shaun Beeley takes a shot. Ian Morris takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.

72:21

Jon Parkin takes a shot. Blocked by Joe Oastler.

70:44 Substitution

Substitution Lloyd Macklin on for Thomas Cruise.

68:15

Corner taken by Lee Mansell, Brian Saah has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide right of the goal.

67:37

Close range header by Jamie McGuire misses to the right of the target.

66:11

Jon Parkin takes a shot. Clearance by Aaron Downes. Inswinging corner taken by Barry Nicholson from the left by-line.

65:51

The official flags Dean Howell offside. Direct free kick taken by Kevin Nicholson.

64:54

A cross is delivered by Rene Howe, Scott Davies manages to make a clearance.

63:55

Centre by Jamie McGuire, Brian Saah makes a clearance.

62:44

Corner taken right-footed by Barry Nicholson to the near post, Kevin Nicholson manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Barry Nicholson played to the near post, Youl Mawene takes a shot.

61:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Lee Mansell by Barry Nicholson. Aaron Downes restarts play with the free kick.

60:26

Foul by Damon Lathrope on Damien Johnson, free kick awarded. Jon Parkin produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

59:48

The ball is crossed by Dean Howell. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Barry Nicholson.

57:50 Substitution

Substitution Andy Mangan leaves the field to be replaced by Junior Brown.

57:21

Damon Lathrope fouled by Jamie McGuire, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Damon Lathrope.

53:46

Inswinging corner taken by Lee Mansell from the left by-line played to the near post, Effort on goal by Ian Morris from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

53:10

Foul by Andy Mangan on Billy Bodin, free kick awarded. Michael Poke takes the direct free kick.

52:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie McGuire by Damon Lathrope.

51:02

Shot from long range by Billy Bodin misses to the right of the target.

51:02

Billy Bodin produces a right-footed shot from a long way out which goes wide right of the goal.

49:31

Headed effort from inside the area by Lee Mansell misses to the right of the target.

48:57

The ball is crossed by Joe Oastler.

46:46

Jon Parkin takes a shot. Kevin Nicholson manages to make a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Barry Nicholson to the near post.

46:46

Jon Parkin takes a shot. Clearance made by Kevin Nicholson. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Barry Nicholson from the right by-line to the near post.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:00 +3:21 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +2:34

Effort on goal by Andy Mangan from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

43:37

The ball is delivered by Shaun Beeley, clearance made by Brian Saah.

42:27

Andy Mangan fouled by Joe Oastler, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Dean Howell, Michael Poke makes a save.

40:27

The ball is delivered by Andy Mangan, clearance by Scott Davies.

41:09

Michael Poke fouled by Jamie McGuire, the ref awards a free kick. Joe Oastler takes the direct free kick.

40:27

A cross is delivered by Andy Mangan, Dean Howell takes a shot.

39:12

Jon Parkin produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal. Inswinging corner taken by Barry Nicholson.

35:54

Shot from just outside the penalty area by Andy Mangan misses to the left of the target.

35:29

The official flags Thomas Cruise offside. Scott Davies takes the direct free kick.

30:40

Unfair challenge on Jamie McGuire by Aaron Downes results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Barry Nicholson. Inswinging corner taken by Barry Nicholson from the right by-line. Inswinging corner taken by Barry Nicholson.

30:40

Free kick awarded for a foul by Aaron Downes on Jamie McGuire. Free kick crossed by Barry Nicholson. Inswinging corner taken by Barry Nicholson. Inswinging corner taken by Barry Nicholson.

29:52

Billy Bodin takes a shot. Save by Scott Davies.

29:17

Andy Mangan has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

27:02

Rene Howe takes a shot. Youl Mawene gets a block in.

26:27

Unfair challenge on Aaron Downes by Jon Parkin results in a free kick. Michael Poke restarts play with the free kick.

20:04

Youl Mawene challenges Rene Howe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Kevin Nicholson from the free kick, save by Scott Davies.

20:04

Youl Mawene challenges Rene Howe unfairly and gives away a free kick.

18:30

Corner taken by Barry Nicholson from the right by-line played to the near post, Andy Mangan takes a shot.

16:54

Effort on goal by Damien Johnson from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target. Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Barry Nicholson.

14:49

Rene Howe takes a shot. Blocked by Steve McNulty.

12:37

Foul by Jamie McGuire on Damon Lathrope, free kick awarded. Damon Lathrope restarts play with the free kick.

10:17

Jamie McGuire takes a shot. Save by Scott Davies.

6:35

Headed effort from inside the area by Jon Parkin misses to the right of the target.

4:39

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jon Parkin by Billy Bodin. Dean Howell restarts play with the free kick.

3:30

Kevin Nicholson takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Steve McNulty manages to make a clearance.

1:49

Damon Lathrope gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Ball. Indirect free kick taken by Steve McNulty.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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