ACCRINGTON Stanley came from a goal down to thrash a defensively dreadful Torquay United side this afternoon to climb into the top half of League Two.

Stanley fell behind to an early Nicky Wroe spot kick after Johnny Flynn needlessly fouled Scott Rendell.

But Phil Edwards netted the leveller, also from the spot on 39 minutes.

That penalty was given much to the fury of the Gulls as Michael Symes went down easily under the merest of Lee Mansell challenges.

But the visitors could not complain a minute later when the Reds went in front as Andy Proctor headed home despite being prone on the ground.

Luke Joyce scored his first for the club after the break, converting well from Billy Kee's clever back-heel before Bobby Grant kept his nerve to make it 4-1 from Proctor's pass with the Torquay defence absent.

Then Stanley's back four dozed to allow Chris Zebroski the chance to score a consolation for the visitors.