Torquay United 0 Newport County 0 - Gulls match League Two opponents

Torquay United more than matched League Two side Newport County for a 0-0 draw at Plainmoor this afternoon in what was Gary Johnson's new squad's first real test of pre-season. There might not have been any goals but there were plenty of positives - and with friendlies against Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City to come in the next seven days this was a good workout against a step-up in opponents following wins against Western Leaguers Buckland Athletic and Exmouth Town.

With two more signings announced overnight, the Torquay squad is now 20 players strong. Goalkeeper Rhys Lovett, a former charge of Johnson's at Cheltenham Town, played in the first two friendlies, and put pen to paper on Friday, as did defender Shaun Donnellan, who played in the National League for Maidenhead United last season.

This is a new era for the Gulls after last year's disappointment, and the previous season's traumatic play-off defeat at Ashton Gate. In fact, Torquay's starting 11 featured just three players who were with the club last season - and there were only two more on the bench. Donnellan started the game in midfield with Ryan Hanson and Brett McGavin. Dylan Crowe and Kieron Evans were the wing backs, either side of a three-man defence of Ross Marshall, Ali Omar and Dean Moxey. Corie Andrews and Aaron Jarvis started up front.

Lovett was named among the substitutes, with Mark Halstead in goal for the first time this pre-season. There were 10 players on the bench - but no Asa Hall or Tom Lapslie, who are nursing injuries. Torquay started the game well, in the blistering sunshine, on a carpet of a pitch. They played the ball around sweetly and there was some good movement in midfield and attack.

Newport - who had no numbers on their shirts -