Kingsbridge youngster Mark Ellis produced a man-of-the-match performance as Torquay United beat local rivals Weymouth 3-2 at Plainmoor on Tuesday night.

The former Kingsbridge Community College student was the rock at the heart of the Torquay defence on his home debut.

Ellis, 18, who has joined the Gulls on a month's loan from Premiership side Bolton, was also a real danger in the Weymouth penalty box, going close to scoring on a number of occasions.

The homeside came from behind twice before Kevin Hill's 89th-minute goal gave them all three points.

Former Yeovil Town midfielder Nick Crittenden scored from close range to put the visitors ahead after only three minutes.

Torquay received a huge let-off a minute later when a wind-assisted cross was headed by Ellis on to the top of Simon Rayner's crossbar.

Chris Zebroski levelled for the Gulls from Tim Sills' cross on 52 minutes but second-half substitute Conal Platt made it 2-1 to Weymouth three minutes later following poor Torquay defending.

Striker Lee Phillips scored a 72nd-minute equaliser before Hill grabbed the winning goal a minute from full time to send Torquay to the top of the Blue Square Premier table.

A bumper crowd of 3,548 were treated to a fast and furious Westcountry derby.

Ellis made his debut for the Gulls in the impressive 5-2 away win at Kidderminster on Saturday.