Fleet had a golden chance to take the lead five minutes before half-time on Saturday when Martin Rice gave away a needless penalty, bringing down Luke Moore as he ran away from goal, but the goalkeeper then made a left-handed save to deny McPhee.

Midfielder McPhee made amends seconds before the interval when he tapped home from close range after Torquay's Chris Todd failed to clear his lines and was robbed by John Akinde.

It was almost two in the 62nd minute when 18-year-old Akinde hit the post after sliding in to connect with the ball after Rice could only parry a deflected long-range free-kick.

Tim Sills' header was cleared off the line by Stacy Long with 20 minutes remaining and the unmarked Elliott Benyon, on as a substitute, then nodded wide from six yards as Torquay pressed.

Long should have put the result beyond doubt with nine minutes left but he fired over from 10 yards, but Fleet held on despite having finished 17 points behind their opponents in the Blue Square Premier.