STRIKER Scott Rendell is confident that he can step into the breach following on-loan Ashley Barnes' recall by Plymouth Argyle and ease the pressure on Torquay United manager Paul Buckle to sign a replacement.

On his first start since breaking his right arm six weeks before, Rendell scored his tenth goal of the season as the Gulls' stretched their unbeaten run to six games with Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Crewe Alexandra.

He also played the full 90 minutes.

Rendell, on a season-long loan himself from Peterborough United, said: "It's been an encouraging week for me.

"You never know how your fitness will stand up – I didn't really count the ten minutes I went on at the end at Darlington last week.

"I think it (Barnes' return to Argyle) was a shock to everyone.

"There's only three of us strikers now, so hopefully I've got a big part to play in the coming weeks.

"Paul Buckle has had a few words with me about the situation.

"I had a couple of falls in training, and I needed that to be sure mentally," said Rendell, who has a metal plate in his arm.

"I need to carry on the rehab, but I'm naturally fit anyway.

"I didn't miss too many days training, even when I was out, and I'm feeling good now."

Buckle, who was rumoured to be chasing a forward from Premier League Bolton Wanderers recently, did not rule out the possibility of a loan deal before the transfer deadline closes at the end of the month.

"If the right person comes along, we will do it," he said.

"But it's got to be the right player.

"All the stuff that went on when some of the older players left has calmed down now, and we've got a real good team spirit.

"I don't want to do anything that would affect that."

Buckle may give Rendell another run-out in tomorrow night's Westinsure Devon St. Luke's Cup quarter-final away to Bideford (7.45pm), before Lincoln City come to Plainmoor next Saturday.

Young Gulls striker Ashley Yeoman - he scored his fourth goal as Bideford strengthened their hold on the Toolstation Premier Division leadership with a 2-1 home win over Sherborne - is not allowed to play in the tie.

At Plainmoor at the weekend Rendell fired United ahead in the 38th minute.

But Crewe, after missing a 77th minute penalty, equalised through Clayton Donaldson five minutes from time.

Buckle pointed to the resources which the Alex have thrown at their current squad – it cost more than £500,000 in transfer fees alone – and said: "We are working very hard to bring our players, who have mostly played in the Conference, up to League standard.

"We played against a good side, and we just couldn't finish them off.

"There's been an enormous amount of change, and that takes time to develop."

The weekend saw United slip a couple of places, although they remain effectively ten points clear of the relegation zone.

Lincoln moved above them with their 3-1 win over Hereford on Friday night, and so did Macclesfield, who upset third-placed Bury 2-0.

Grimsby, in the second relegation spot, drew 1-1 at Morecambe.

But the most spectacular result was Cheltenham's 6-5 victory at Burton Albion.

Midfielder Michael Pook's astonishing late hat-trick helped the Robins to come from 4-2 and 5-3 down to win at the Pirelli Stadium.

This week's midweek games see Hereford play Morecambe and Lincoln entertain Dagenham & Redbridge tomorrow night.