Tim Sills and Roscoe Dsane were on target as United got back on track in the league with a victory inspired by a fine performance from Jody Banim.

Simon Rayner returned to the United line-up after his recall from Boston while Mark Ellis replaced Chris Robertson who was still feeling the effects of his efforts against York City. Jody Banim came into the starting eleven after being cup tied for last weekend's Trophy semi-final.

The first challenge United had to overcome was the strong wind that they were playing into. Stafford were trying to use the wind to their advantage by shooting on sight early on but they were unable to trouble Rayner until Wellecomm hit a free kick but the United 'keeper handled well. If Simon Rayner was having to keep himself warm at one end then Alcock in the Stafford goal was quite warm enough in trying valiantly to keep United out at the other. Tim Sills was the first to test him after being slipped in by Jody Banim but Alcock was up to Sills' shot and parried the ball away.

Alcock was at it again moments later when he saved from Lee Phillips following a big blow for the home side when Neil Grayson had to leave the field after picking up a back injury. It was Tim Sills again, this time with an overhead kick, but it was too weak to trouble Alcock, that nearly broke the deadlock. On another day Sills could have scored a hat-trick and a half but for the good work from Alcock.

Mark Ellis tried a shot from a tight angle following a corner but saw his shot go a yard over the crossbar as United turned up the pressure on the home side. The ever willing Chris Hargreaves was next to try his luck when he latched onto a high ball, took the ball in his stride but saw Alcock block point blank and then looked on as Sills put the ball over the bar. Right at the end of the first half Simon Rayner was called back into action and saved from Wellecomm as the home side threatened briefly.

The second half started with United even more on top than they were in the first. The amount of chances United created deserved a goal and we didn't have to wait long in the second period to get it. A trademark corner from Kevin Nicholson was met at the far post by Tim Sills and his header was never going anywhere but in as United took the lead. It would be probably be unfair to single out one player but the second half almost belonged to Jody Banim with the possible exception of the Stafford goalkeeper. Banim was involved in most that was good from United including three chances of his own that Alcock was a match for as well as setting up a couple of other opportunities and topping it all off with a booking!

United were dominating the play but a 1-0 score line is always dangerous and Stafford are a team in a position that demands a response but on another day the Gulls could have had five or six and no-one could have complained. Kaid Mohamed came on after 67 minutes to replace Chris Zebroski and Lee Phillips made way for Roscoe Dsane with 15 minutes to go and it was United's second substitute who would seal the win; Mohamed did well down the right and released Sills who was denied yet again by Alcock but Dsane was up with play and had an easy finish volleying in the rebound. Just before the goal, in amongst a flurry of action, Simon Rayner had saved well low down from a Wellecomm shot in a rare moment of attack by the home side that could have embarrassed United. Kevin Nicholson looked to have tweaked his hamstring at the death and made way for Matt Hockley but United still had time to test Alcock and it was Banim again who brought the best from the Stafford 'keeper.

A good, solid performance from Torquay that sets them up well for the Easter Monday match at Plainmoor against Forest Green Rovers.