Torquay made it back-to-back wins in their bid to escape the drop after edging out relegation rivals Scunthorpe 1-0 at Glanford Park.
Lewis Collins struck the decisive goal just after the hour as Gary Johnson’s side, who beat play-off hopefuls Boreham Wood on Tuesday, moved five points above the Iron, and to within three points of Gateshead and safety.
Torquay were quickly out of the blocks and Jack Stobbs tested home goalkeeper Tom Billson inside the opening two minutes, but that proved to be one of the few chances of note in the first half.
Gulls keeper Mark Halstead was called into action in the 35th minute to parry a Reagan Ogle effort before Billson comfortably saved from Asa Hall at the conclusion of a goalless first period.
Billson denied Kevin Dawson and Collins as Torquay pushed hard at the start of the second half and the visitors were rewarded in the 62nd minute when on-loan Newport striker Collins fired home what proved to be the winner.
