A super free kick by Dan Hayfield was enough for Torquay United to knock Truro City out of the FA Trophy this afternoon - in a game between two teams near the top of the National League South.

Both teams worked hard but in the end it was Hayfield's 53rd minute strike that separated them - with Torquay's football advisor Neil Warnock on hand to do the usual fist-pump in front of the Popside at the end, with manager Paul Wotton serving a one-match suspension in the stands.

Wotton watched his team from Bristow's Bench, while Warnock stood next to assistant boss Mike Edwards in the dugout and helped direct operations on the pitch.

READ MORE: Torquay United's win showed boss 'desire and character' he wants

READ MORE: Torquay United need to repay fans for letting them down in FA Cup

New loan signing Jordan Thomas was selected as right wing back, and looked good, with Wotton making three changes: loan striker Keke Jeffers coming in up front and defender Ed Palmer swapped in for Sam Dreyer.

Two former Torquay players, Dan Lavercombe and Ryan Law, were in Truro's team - but the visitors were missing their key man up front. Leading scorer Tyler Harvey got injured in their last game on Tuesday night.

Truro won a free kick 22 yards out in the eighth minute but Will Dean's shot went over. Moments after, Jeffers' poor first touch spoiled a good break by Torquay, and Dom Johnson-Fisher ran at Hamon at the other end with the Torquay goalkeeper having to make a good save - as he did from the inswinging corner, too. Dean shot wide in the 19th minute after Palmer had given up possession in his own half.

Jeffers had a shot blocked after some good work at the other end. In the 30th minute, Young had a shot blocked and a Cooke header was deflected just wide. Another Dean strike, another Hamon stop.

There was a goalmouth scramble just before half time and Hamon was heavily involved in keeping the ball out as it pinged around the box. When it fell to Dan Rooney on the edge of the area though, the Truro midfielder struck the ball sweetly and it flew into the far corner.

The referee gave the goal and the visitors celebrated - but Hamon ran to the assistant and claimed he had been held on the ground. The referee had a chat with the assistant and the goal was ruled out.

Will Jenkins Davies came on for Carson for the start of the second half. Torquay started brightly and got the crowd going. Jenkins Davies won a free kick 22 yards out in the 53rd minute and Dan Hayfield struck the ball beautifully to find the top right hand corner of the net. Lavercome had no chance.

In the 59th, Torquay were sloppy playing the ball forward and Johnson-Fisher's shot had to be stopped by Hamon. Truro won a free kick on the left hand side two minutes later. The cross was cleared and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain's volley went too high.

Omar Mussa came on for Jeffers in the 68th minute. Oscar Threklekd was late with a challenge in the 80th minute and Truro had a free kick, 30-yards out. Substitute Jaze Kabia got up high but headed the ball across the goal and wide.

A Cooke flick after a low Jenkins Davies cross went the wrong side of the post - and Mussa almost found Cooke was a flick-on in the 85th minute. Torquay were already keeping the ball in the corners before the fourth official put up the board saying there would be five extra minutes. Those minutes passed without too much of a problem for the Gulls.

The draw for the third round of the Trophy will be made on Monday.

Join DevonLive on WhatsApp to get the news first - Devon Live