Torquay scored a late goal to deny Cheltenham all three points in a game of two halfs. The Robins had bossed the first half wih Hayles scoring a sensational goal but Torquay clawed it back with an impressive second period and they broke Cheltenham hearts with an 89th minute strike.
Cheltenham Town were forced to make one change to the line-up that started on Saturday with Michael Townsend struggling with a groin injury which means a spell at centre back for Andy Gallinagh. David Hutton is the new face slipping into the midfield four.
One of the big stories of the night though was club captain Shane Duff being named as one of the seven substitutes in what will be a huge positive for Cheltenham's defensive options.
3: First chance of the game fell to Torquay following a long throw. Elliot Benyon stooped low but put his header wide of the post.
4: An excellent sliding challenge from Pook enabled Hayles to get a shot away from 20 yards but it proved comfortable for Bevan.
7: Four corners in a row for the Robins. Hutton made the best out of the third with some trickery into the box and an angled shot which forced Bevan into a save.
12: Dangerous low cross from the left for Torquay but Gallinagh was able to clear any danger from the Robins area.
14: Great trickery and an even better turn in the box by Barry Hayles but his released shot flew into the hand of Bevan.
17 BOOKING: Torquay's Mark Ellis was booked for a sloppy sliding foul on Matt Thornhill.
19: Searching cross from Josh Low but neither Hayles nor Alsop could finish the opportunity off.
24: Good chance wasted by Lloyd Macklin whose central striker was comfortably saved by Brown.
30: A golden opportunity for Alsop to break the deadlock. Bird's cross found it's way to the big man's feet but he struck the bsll high over the cross bar.
34 GOAL: Award for the best cross of the season goes to Barry Hayles. The veteran striker drove in a cross but the Robins fans roared to life as it hit the far top corner. An excellent strike but safe to say he didn't mean it!
45: Torquay had a spell of attacking pressure but nothing to really trouble the Robins. Bird, Gallinagh and Pook all impressed defensively in the first half.
Half Time: Robins 1-0 Torquay
46 SUBSTITUTION: Matt Thornhill was taken off at half time with a hamstring injury and replaced with Theo Lewis.
50: Slow start to the second half for both teams but Torquay were obviously a little frustrated with themselves.
54: Ashley Barnes unleashed a vicious shot at goal from 25 yards out and it just grazed the top of the crossbar. Good attempt.
58: Awful strike from Nicky Wroe following a Torquay free kick. One for the ball boys to collect at the C&G end.
67: Torquay started to take control in the second half but again not delivering any real threat to Cheltenham's goal.
68: Elliot Benyon had an excellent chance to score the equaliser but he fluffed it and it fell straight into Brown's arms.
68: Almost a huge mistake from Scott Brown who decided to control the ball and bring it into his own area instead of clearing the danger. The Robins keeper very nearly gifted Torquay a goal when Macklin intercepted and struck but a lucky deflection saved Cheltenham.
71 DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Elvis Hammond replaced Barry Hayles. Torquay took Ashley Barnes off to bring on Jake Thomson.
74: Another superb shot from range by Torquay. Macklin saw his shot fly wide of the post though but Torquay really picking up the pace at this point.
79: Super block from Ashley Eastham halted any chance of Wroe's strike hitting the back of the net.
80: Bevan pulled off a magnificent save denying Dave Bird a goal from his pacy freekick.
84: SUBSTITUTION: Mustapha Carayol came on to replace the impressive Lloyd Macklin.
85 BOOKING: Julian Alsop was booked for landing on Branston following a challenge.
85 SUBSTITUTION: David Hutton made way for Danny Andrew.
89 GOAL: Mustapha Carayol struck following a Gallinagh mistake to dent Cheltenham's chances of picking up three points. A superb strike across Brown's goal which found the bottom far corner.
Full Time: Robins 1-1 Torquay
Cheltenham Town (4-4-2 Diamond): Brown (GK); Bird, Eastham, Gallinagh, Ridley; Pook, Hutton (Andrew 85), Low, Thornhill (Lewis 46); Hayles (Hammond 71), Alsop (C)
Subs not used: Puddy (GK), Duff, Watkins, Richards
Torquay (4-4-2): Bevan (GK); Robertson, Branston, Ellis, Rowe-Turner; Macklin (Carayol 84), Wroe (C), Thompson, Zebroski; Barnes (Thomson 71), Benyon
Subs not used: Searle (GK), Nicholson, Smith, Stevens, O'Kane
Referee: K.G. Evans
Attendance: 2,607 (344 from Torquay)
Robins Star Man: Michael Pook - Great performance in midfield from Pook today with his sliding tackles the highlight of a dominating display.
James Brown from the Abbey Business Stadium
