Irish winger Ian Morris' opportunist first-half goal and some mountainous defending clinched a seventh successive victory for Martin Ling's Torquay United and forced them into League Two's top-three at Whaddon Road last night.

Three days after they defeated one promotion rival, Shrewsbury Town, they did the same to another, Cheltenham Town, and now United's amazing run stretches to 41 points out of 48. Only goal-difference now keeps them behind leaders Southend and second-place Cheltenham.

If Morris' second goal of the season, from a Brian Saah set-piece header, was the decider, it was United's "they-shall-not-pass" defence which clinched all three points.

Goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik was outstanding throughout, and the bravest of headers off his own line by Saah in stoppage time was worth victory on its own.

Although Rene Howe was fit after missing Saturday's win over Shrewsbury with a groin spasm, Ling named an unchanged starting line-up.

Town boss Mark Yates made one switch, recalling Russell Penn in midfield for Jermaine McGlashan.

Penn beat Kevin Nicholson and crossed from Town's right in an early attack, and when Mark Ellis' header at full-stretch fell to Luke Summerfield just outside the area, he sliced his volleyed shot well over.

Yates had demanded his team start quicker than they had done in previous games, and they were clearly intent on doing that.

United were cagier in the early stages, waiting a while before they started to give target man Taiwo Atieno committed support from midfield.

So it was hardly breathless stuff for the first 15 minutes as both sides showed each other considerable respect. Atieno did well in the air, winning a series of headers against Keith Lowe, but he was often a lone soldier.

United had their first problem to deal with after a Marlon Pack free-kick struck Damon Lathrope. Lathrope had taken a knock on the ankle against Shrewsbury, and Pack's drive appeared to hit him on the same spot.

He carried on for a moment or two, before he limped off in the 21st minute and was replaced by Chris McPhee.

McPhee slotted straight into the defensive midfield role which Lathrope has been playing so well recently. In the 25th minute United carved out their first real opening.

Atieno chested the ball down and Eunan O'Kane jinked past one challenge before hitting a right-foot volley which Scott Brown saved under his bar.

It was the signal for United to step up their attacking ambitions. Stevens spoiled a brilliant run past three men on the left wing by passing when he had a chance to shoot.

No such inhibitions for skipper Lee Mansell, who shot on sight from 25 yards on the half-hour, and not far over either. Seconds later United took the lead. O'Kane forced a corner on the right, and Nicholson went over from left-back to take a deep in swinger.

Saah was waiting at the far post with a powerful downward header and Morris stabbed the ball over the line from close-range. It was his second goal of the season.

Kaid Mohamed tried to reply immediately for Cheltenham, but Bobby Olejnik was down smartly to smother the ex-Gulls loanee's long-range drive.

Morris had another chance in the 44th minute, when Nicholson's free-kick sailed over everyone else in the goalmouth and fell for him at the far post, but he could get no power behind his angled shot and a relieved Brown collected.

In first-half stoppage-time, Pack unleashed a searing free-kick from 25 yards on the right, but Olejnik punched the ball away so emphatically that it flew for a throw-in.

United needed to make an error-free start to the second half, and they didn't do it. O'Kane gave the ball away in midfield, Mohamed was on to it and eventually jinked outside Oastler onto his left foot. Fortunately for United, Olejnik timed his dash off his line to perfection and smothered the shot.

Then United's midfield retreated in front of the advancing Summerfield, and the former Pymouth man nearly punished them with a 16-yard shot just wide of Olejnik's left-hand post. United were under the cosh for the first time in the match.

Yates waited until the hour-mark before making his first change – right winger Jermaine McGlashan for striker Darry Duffy, with McGlashan and Mohamed pushing on from the flanks to support striker Jimmy Spencer.

In the 70th minute Olejnik came to United's rescue again, with a stunning low save to keep out Penn's shot from 12 yards. Referee Rob Lewis was getting increasingly concerned at the foul-count, and he booked Spencer and Atieno for fouls within a minute of each other.

Jeff Goulding, who had replaced Spencer, promptly sent in a headed flick which Olejnik alertly tipped over his bar.

Olejnik then bravely dived at the feet of Sido Jombarti, with McPhee also taking a knock to his face, as United continued to repel boarders.

McPhee, bleeding from the nose, had to go off for further treatment, but the damage was bad enough for him to withdraw, Howe replacing him in the 82nd minute.

Mr Lewis tweaked nerves among nearly 500 Gulls fans when he added five minutes of stoppage time, but Saah's goal-saving header in the 94th minute sealed another stunning victory.

Cheltenham Town (4-4-2): Brown; Jombarti, Lowe, Bennett, Garbutt; Penn (Smikle 86), Summerfield, Pack, Mohamed; Spencer (Goulding 73), Duffy (McGlashan 69). Substitutes (not used): Low, Hooman.

Booking: Spencer.

Torquay United (4-1-4-1): Olejnik; Oastler, Saah, Ellis, Nicholson; Lathrope (McPhee 21; Howe 82) ; Morris, Mansell, O'Kane, Stevens (Rowe-Turner 75); Atieno; Substitutes (not used): Rice (gk), McDonald.

Bookings: Stevens, Atieno.

Referee: Mr R Lewis.

Attendance: 3,010.