TORQUAY United manager Paul Buckle is delighted to see his young Gulls finally reaping the rewards of their training ground practice.

Devon-born central defender Mark Ellis claimed his second goal of the season and burgeoning Football League career with the 10th minute opener in United's pivotal 3-1 Coca-Cola League Two win at basement side Darlington.

Ellis, 21, instinctively roofed home after his initial attempt at converting Nicky Wroe's corner was cleared off the line.

Irish teenager Eunan O'Kane then lashed home his first-ever league goal from outside the box, before substitute Mustapha Caryol crashed in a great third goal with a first time shot on the run for his third league goal of the term.

Buckle said: "We have been working very, very hard on set plays and reaction off the second phase in training. Mark did great. He won the first header and it dropped down and he spun and put it in the top corner. We worked hard at Middlesbrough's training ground on that the day before the game."

Buckle was also full of praise for his two young shooting stars, 19-year-old O'Kane and 20-year-old Carayol.

The Gulls boss said: "I was pleased to see Eunan score just before half time and delighted for Mustapha to score again. He's really coming on and making an impact now.

"Muzzy (also) went clean through twice and on a better surface might have scored again. The younger players are now starting to realise that it is a squad game and they all have an important part to play, whether they start or they are on the bench.

"The bench is very important, Elliot Benyon did great when he came on and so did Scott Rendell. Everybody's involved, there are bound to be players disappointed when they are not playing, but we have got a good team spirit and they understand we are on a good, unbeaten run."

Target man Rendell's return from injury is another added boost for Buckle as his in-form squad looks forward to back to back Saturday home games and trying to extend their best run of the season. United are now unbeaten in five.

On Saturday the Gulls play host to Crewe Alexandra and then a week later Lincoln City visit Plainmoor.

Crewe required a stoppage time leveller to draw 1-1 with Torquay at the Alexandra Stadium at on February 2, when man of the match Chris Zebroski fired United ahead after seven minutes.

Rendell missed the Tuesday night draw at Crewe, suffering a broken forearm in an awkward fall in the previous Saturday's 2-1 Plainmoor defeat by Bradford.

United led the game 1-0 with Rendell, 23, playing a big part before he was ruled out.