Cup kings Swansea dropped more home points to put their play-off aspirations in grave danger.
A goal five minutes from time by flu victim Jo Kuffour sent the Swans to defeat and they have yet to win at home in the League in 2004.
"Torquay are a good side and we were second best today," said Swans manager Brian Flynn.
"We made a bright start in the second half because I told the players at half time that we were a 'nearly' team. Torquay are a side in form, we aren't and it showed today as we were very predictable particularly in the first half." The visitors went ahead in the 18th minute when David Graham rounded two defenders before wrong-footing Roger Freestone in the home goal.
Flynn gave his side a half-time roasting and within 60 seconds of the restart they had two shots cleared off the Gulls goal-line as they tried to make up for their poor showing in the first half.
But it was not until the 81st minute that they were back on level terms when a poor clearance by Torquay keeper Kevin Dearden fell to Kevin Nugent who squeezed the ball into the net off the keeper from a tight angle.
Just as Swansea thought they had rescued a point, up popped Kuffour to blast home the winner.
Gulls manager Leroy Rosenior was pleased with Kuffour's match-winning performance.
"He didn't train until Thursday, but I knew I would have him in the squad even if he was still suffering from flu," he said.
"I knew if he had hold of the ball he could cause them problems and as soon as he went onto the pitch that is exactly what happened." Swansea are now eight points adrift of Torquay and unless Flynn quickly restores confidence a place in the end of season play-offs may be beyond them.