Buckland Athletic gave a spirited performance against Torquay United, despite going down 4-0 at Homers Heath, writes Steve Harris.

Winger Mustapha Carayol and striker Ben Joyce both struck twice for the Gulls, who were starting their preparation for their return to the Football League.

The game was staged as a charity fundraiser for Leukaemia Research and it was fitting that Torquay were captained, on the night, by defender Chris Todd, who returned to first team action last season after being diagnosed with the condition.

Both sides took to the field wearing special one-off kits to mark the occasion.

Buckland goalkeeper Neil Montandon emerged as the hero for the hosts in the opening minutes of the match, producing a string of superb saves to deny Carayol, Elliot Benyon and Michael Brough.

Right back Liam Drew also played a key role for Buckland in keeping the visitors at bay when he produced a crucial off-the-line clearance to deny Gulls defender Mark Ellis.

Bucklands best chance of the half fell to striker Roger Bonaparte, who volleyed wide in the 15th minute.

Carayol was a constant threat to the Buckland defence during the first half and he finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when he rounded Montandon and slotted the ball home from 18-yards.

In spite of going a goal down, Buckland remained determined against their Football League opponents as Montandon continued to produce a number of vital saves that kept the Gulls at bay.

Carayol bagged his brace in the 43rd minute with a shot from a similar distance to his first effort.

Both sides made changes at half-time as Torquay sent on a number of their promotion-winning heroes including Tim Sills, Kevin Nicholson and Nicky Wroe.

The Gulls increased their lead to three when striker Joyce latched on to a pass from Wroe before slotting the ball past Montandon.

Gavin Hammon then went close for Buckland, before Joyce hit his second in the 74th minute with a cool finish.