TORQUAY UNITED'S 'underdog' status is serving the club well in the Gulls' record-breaking start to the season, says manager Paul Buckle.

And it will be the same story when United take on old South Coast rivals AFC Bournemouth in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Dean Court tonight (7.45pm).

"Nothing is expected of us this season, while there are big expectations of quite a few clubs in League Two," said Buckle in the wake of 100 per cent United's 2-1 win at Port Vale at the weekend.

"People won't be expecting us to win at Bournemouth either.

"We're away from home again — this is the second of three away games on the trot.

"And I think Bournemouth will be expecting to beat Torquay.

"But that's fine by us.

"Bournemouth are a very good side, from a league above us now.

"We have to be resilient again, expecting that the opposition will have spells on top, but then attack them in the way that we have gone at teams away from home this season."

United, who beat Cheltenham and then lost to eventual winners Southampton on penalties in this competition last season, will check out a couple of knocks from the Port Vale game before settling on tonight's side.

Buckle has not tended to field so-called weakened teams in either the Setanta Shield in the Conference or the JPT last season.

But he certainly has options if he wants to use them.

Buckle points out that his squad is not a big one, but United have not picked up too many injuries so far and nearly everyone should be available.

Gulls fans were frustrated by two 2-1 wins for the promotion-bound Cherries in League Two last year.

They snatched victory in the closing minutes of both matches, notably after United had outplayed them for much of an exciting clash in front of more than 7,500 fans at the Fitness First Stadium at Christmas.

Buckle refused to draw any connection with those encounters now, but several United players and plenty of supporters feel that they owe the Cherries one.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, who has done such an extraordinary job in difficult circumstances at the Fitness First Stadium, recently lost leading scorer Brett Pitman to Bristol City.

He pushed winger Josh McQuoid up front for Saturday's 3-3 draw with Notts County, and he scored twice.

Bournemouth led 3-0 after only 28 minutes before being pegged back.

McQuoid may not be a permanent solution to Pitman's departure, and Howe could give a start to summer signing Lyle Taylor, who was plucked out of non-League after scoring 34 goals for Canvey Island side Concord Rangers in the Ryman League last season.

Meanwhile, Buckle reported no news on the transfer front, with the August Window due to close tomorrow evening.

He admitted that, despite not looking to sell, United would fine it hard to reject a serious offer for any of their players.

"We were able to turn the Mark Ellis offer down the other day, because we feel that he's worth a lot more than was offered," said Buckle.

"He showed that at Port Vale on Saturday, along with the rest of the squad.

"But it's not just the younger players who are catching the eye.

"For instance, Lee Mansell has had a tremendous season so far in midfield.

"We have people performing well all over the pitch."