Match ends, Torquay United 0, Tranmere Rovers 0.
Tranmere were forced to hold on for a 0-0 draw at Torquay after going down to nine men.
Micky Mellon's side showed no signs of a hangover from May's National League play-off heartache as James Norwood and Liam Ridehalgh both went close within the first five minutes.
From there Torquay, who avoided relegation on the final day of last season, restricted Tranmere to half chances and deserved to go in 0-0 at the break.
But Tranmere's hopes of seizing the early initiative in the title race took a blow when Steve McNulty saw red after 55 minutes for a second yellow, before Norwood's red card after 85 minutes left them grateful for a point.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Torquay
- 1Clarke
- 5McGintyBooked at 61mins
- 4LathropeBooked at 7minsSubstituted forReidat 64'minutes
- 7Chaney
- 6Gowling
- 8Young
- 23Higgins
- 11GoslingSubstituted forLeeat 70'minutes
- 10KeatingBooked at 54mins
- 9PittmanSubstituted forGrayat 70'minutes
- 18KlukowskiBooked at 68mins
Substitutes
- 14Anderson
- 15Lee
- 17Gray
- 19Reid
- 20Osborn
Tranmere
- 1Davies
- 22BuxtonBooked at 84mins
- 6McEveley
- 8Harris
- 3Ridehalgh
- 24Hughes
- 5McNultyBooked at 54mins
- 15NorburnSubstituted forSuttonat 57'minutes
- 12AlabiSubstituted forCookat 74'minutes
- 10NorwoodBooked at 85mins
- 11Jennings
Substitutes
- 9Cook
- 12Sutton
- 16Dunn
- 19Mangan
- 26Pilling
- Referee:
- Sam Allison
- Attendance:
- 3,162
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Torquay United 0, Tranmere Rovers 0.
Dismissal
James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the red card.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Andy Cook replaces James Alabi.
Substitution
Substitution, Torquay United. James Gray replaces Jon-Paul Pittman.
Substitution
Substitution, Torquay United. Jordan Lee replaces Jake Gosling.
Substitution
Substitution, Torquay United. Jamie Reid replaces Damon Lathrope.
Booking
Sean McGinty (Torquay United) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Ritchie Sutton replaces Ollie Norburn.
Booking
Ruairi Keating (Torquay United) is shown the yellow card.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Steve McNulty (Tranmere Rovers) for a bad foul.
Second Half
Second Half begins Torquay United 0, Tranmere Rovers 0.
Half Time
First Half ends, Torquay United 0, Tranmere Rovers 0.
Booking
Steve McNulty (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Damon Lathrope (Torquay United) is shown the yellow card.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.