Accrington captain Peter Cavanagh scored a last-minute free-kick to boost their survival hopes and all but consign 10-man Torquay to relegation.
Torquay were hanging on after Lee Mansell was sent off on 55 minutes for a late challenge on Shaun Whalley.
Accrington gave fans free admission, but it looked like they would be frustrated until Cavanagh's winner.
Torquay keeper Simon Raynor was outstanding, making several saves before he was beaten by Cavanagh.
Richardson, Todd, Proctor, Harris, Whalley, Mangan, Mullin.
Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Doherty, Brown, Welch, Grant.
Booked: Harris, Cavanagh, Antwi.
Goals: Cavanagh 90.
Torquay: Raynor, Andrews, Robertson, Gordon, Robinson (McPhee 90), Mansell, Hockley, Kerry (Hill 88), Cooke (John 46), Thorpe, Williams.
Subs Not Used: Horsell, Angus.
Sent Off: Mansell (55).
Booked: Kerry, Williams.
Att: 4,004Referee: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).