FORMER Torquay United youngster Clay Bond picked the perfect time to hit the winning goal against his old club.

The midfielder drilled through a crowded area, giving Bideford an impressive 2-1 win in the quarter-final of the Westinsure Devon St Luke's Cup.

Facing a Gulls line-up including seven first-team players, the Robins produced a sharp display.

Five changes were made to the side which beat Sherborne Town 2-1 in the Toolstation Premier on Saturday, and the hosts looked fresh.

Matt Hockley and Bond came into the midfield while Dominic Rivans returned to the defence for his first game after a hip injury.

Goalkeeper Ryan Draper was rested allowing Torquay trainee Grant Fisher to make his debut.

Fisher has played recently for Taunton Town and has spent part of the season on loan from Toquay at South West Peninsula League side Bovey Tracey.

Young striker Ashley Yeoman has a similar loan arrangement with Bideford but he spent the evening trying to score against his current team mates.

The visitors took a 12th-minute lead when a header from Rivans fell short and Mustapha Carayol nipped the ball past the onrushing Fisher and into the empty net.

Fisher then denied Yeoman from close-range after a cross from right-back Tyrone Thompson.

But Bideford drew level on 20 minutes and grew in confidence from there.

Matt Andrew, captain for the night in place of the rested Ian Down, showed real strength to wrestle back possession and cross for Ellis Laight to score at the near post.

Laight, another former professional with the Gulls, took one touch and swept the ball past Michael Searle.

Chances were scarce for both teams but Wood had a great opportunity to win it, heading wide in the 80th minute.

With Rivans, Hawkings and Rob Francis in dominant form at the back, Carayol and Yeoman rarely found space to threaten.

Torquay's main threat came from the throws of Kevin Nicholson but the hosts coped well and it was their own long-throw expert Wood who created the winner.

His delivery landed on the edge of the box, and with extra-time looming, Bond belted the ball low past Searle.

Ed Palmer had a chance to equalise in stoppage-time, seeing his header land in Fisher's arms after Nicholson pumped a freekick forward.

Winning the Western League remains the big priority for Bideford but they will look forward to a county cup semi-final in the coming weeks.

Bideford: Grant Fisher, Matt Downing, Nick Barker, Dominic Rivans, Darren Hawkings, Rob Francis, Clay Bond, Matt Hockley, Ellis Laight, Ben Wood, Matt Andrew. Subs not used: Kevin Squire, Billy Hopcroft, Mike Turner.

Torquay United: Michael Searle, Tyrone Thompson, Ed Palmer, Kevin Nicholson, Nick Milton, Eunan O'Kane, Lloyd Macklin (Ray Spear 81), Danny Stevens, Ashley Yeoman (Scott Taylor 88), Mustapha Carayol, Jake Thomson. Subs not used: Rob Hemming, Saul Halpin, TJ Lang.