EXETER put Torquay under more pressure while easing their own situation with a 53-run win at the seaside.

Opener Rob Holman stroked an unbeaten 102 off 126 balls in Exeter’s total of 288 for five.

Along the way there were stands of 158 with Alex Barrow – he made 84 – and 68 with Harvey Sargent (23).

Spinner Matt Petherbridge and seamer Kazi Szymanski both bowled tidy spells. Matt Beasant (3-48) cashed in at the end of the innings.

Torquay were all out for 235 with an over to go – slowing on the chase after reaching 199 for three with 12 overs to go.

Cody Gertze (48) and Justin Yau (37) put on 56 for the first wicket, of which Yau scored just one!

George Allen (27) and Tom Drake (51) kept the chase going until the later fell lbw to man of the match Holman (3-33).

Torquay’s last six wickets fell for 25 runs, Naz Choudhary (2-51) and Jon Tipper (2-26) helping to see them off.

Torquay sit in the second drop spot alongside Plymouth, a point behind Heathcoat and safety. Torquay and Plymouth meet this Saturday at Mount Wise in a must-win game for both of them.

Torquay skipper Yau said: “Not the result we were looking for- we were poor against Exeter but hopefully we can bounce back and reply against Plymouth.

“We bowled and fielded pretty poorly but full credit to Exeter who batted really well.

“We were cruising in our innings and should have come, through but unfortunately lost it in the middle overs when we didn't know whether to go or not.

“We have three big games left and I'm confident we will still gain enough points to get away from relegation.”

Exeter are 12 points clear of the bottom with Exmouth to play this Saturday.

Skipper Miles Lenygon said the result against Torquay was helpful, but the pressure remains on.

“It doesn't really change much for us,” said Lenygon. Exmouth next is huge and we need to win.”