Torquay moved themselves up to sixth place with this hard working 1-0 win against a stubborn Scunthorpe side.
The home team made just one change from the side that beat leaders Hull 1-0, with Saturday's super sub Martin Gritton starting in place of the injured Jo Kuffour.
The visitors were forced to make three changes, with injured Peter Beagrie, Ian Kilford and Nathan Stanton replaced in the starting line-up by Wayne Graves, Lee Ridley and Terry Barwick.
Steve MacLean missed a great chance for Scunthorpe after ten minutes when a mistake by Kevin Hill presented him with a clear shot, but his effort went into the side netting.
Torquay took the lead after 13 minutes when Matt Hockley went in bravely to meet a right-wing cross by Lee Canoville and his looping header soared over visiting keeper Tom Evans.
David Graham should have made it two in the 18th minute but he pushed the ball too far beyond Evans and shot wide, then he tested Evans again with a 30-yard volley on the half hour.
In the first minute of the second half, Scunthorpe created a great chance with some clever play on the right, but Cleveland Taylor lashed his shot across the face of the goal.
At the other end, Hockley brought a good save from Evans with a fierce shot from the edge of the box and Graham volleyed over after another smart build-up.
On the hour, Torquay top scorer Graham hit the post with a neat shot from a right wing cross by Tony Bedeau and in the 65th it was Alex Russell's turn to bring the best out of Evans with a volley from 20 yards.
The visitors used all three subs in quick succession in a bid to increase the pressure on Torquay, who also rang the changes up front in an effort to make the game safe.
Home keeper Kevin Dearden made his only save of the game from Scunthorpe's only effort on target in the second minute of injury time, turning a cross shot from Taylor safely over his bar.