FOOTBALL League chairman Lord Mawhinney wonét have been overly impressed with the football he witnessed at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

However, it is the result that counts and the resurgent Hatters are now unbeaten in four games.

County won the game courtesy of a soft goal from Adam le Fondre é his sixth of the season é but Jim Gannonés side undoubtedly deserved to win.

Wide-man David Poole failed a pre-match fitness test so he was replaced by midweek match-winner Michael Malcolm, and it was County who got off to the brighter start.

County missed the first chance on eight minutes when Keith Briggsé low drive flew narrowly wide of Gullsé goalkeeper Nathan Abbeyés far post.

Hatters striker Tes Bramble saw a shot bravely blocked by Lee Thorpe, but the opening quarter of the game had been distinctly low-key.

The visitors finally managed to awake from their slumber, and on the half-hour mark Darren Garner and Mickey Evans played a neat one-two, only for Garner to blast his shot from 20 yards well over the crossbar.

Evans then wasted a great chance when he clumsily scooped a shot way over the bar, and County made him pay in the perfect fashion.

Left-back Adam Griffin whipped in a tasty curling cross, Le Fondre got a head to it, but ékeeper Abbey fumbled an attempted save and the ball crept over the line.

There was little power in the header, but the home side had dominated possession and deserved to be in front.

County skipper Tony Dinning almost volleyed his side into a two-goal lead in first-half stoppage time, but his effort flew just wide.

Torquay were the first to show in the second period when leading scorer and ex-County favourite Jamie Ward did well to tee up the unmarked Lee Mansell, but he blazed well over from 25 yards.

County upped their tempo again, and just before the hour mark Briggs dived in for a far-post header which was diverted bravely for a corner by Thorpe.

County schemer Jason Taylor then went on a barnstorming run before seeing his arrowing drive blocked by Stephen Woods, while at the other end substitute Leo Fortune-West produced a neat turn and shot, only for Griffin to get in the way and divert the effort for a corner.

The visitors pushed desperately for a leveller in the dying minutes, but Hatters goalkeeper John Ruddy hardly broke into a sweat as his side held on for the three points.

• COUNTY: Ruddy, Williams, Clare, Owen, Briggs, Griffin, Dinning, Taylor, Malcolm (Ellis, 64), Bramble (Dickinson, 72), Le Fondre. Subs not used: Spencer, Robinson, Tansey. Star Man: Rob Clare

• TORQUAY UNITED: Abbey, Andrews, Hill (Phillips, 75), Angus, Mansell, Woods, Murray, Garner (McPhee, 66), Ward, Thorpe, Evans (Fortune-West, 66). Subs not used: Reed, Hockley. Booked: Hill, Woods.

Attendance: 4,663.

Referee: Mr A Marriner.

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