Boss Gary Wilson hailed one of his greatest nights in his decade in charge at Priory Lane as Eastbourne Borough ended Torquay United’s bid to equal a club record of 14 league games unbeaten in emphatic style.

Borough blew away a Torquay side which had not lost in the Blue Square premier since a 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster on September 4 to climb to 15th in the table, seven points above the drop zone.

Matt Crabb shone brightest among a galaxy of stars as he scored twice and set up another while on-loan Plymouth duo Dan Smith and Ashley Barnes capped exceptional displays by finding the net too.

Wilson said: “It was certainly one of the best nights I’ve had here. When I look back at games over the years this is definitely one to remember.

“It is a major achievement to beat a team who had not lost in 14 games at this level and I don’t think anybody watching could argue we didn’t deserve it.

“We played some exceptional football and with a bit more luck could have won by more.”

Borough might have scored four goals for the second consecutive match but the game was a complete contrast to Saturday’s clash with Northwich where the game was in the balance until the visitors were reduced to ten men.

The home side were instantly into their stride and Barnes has already missed one good chance by the time he opened the scoring in the eighth minute.

The on-loan Plymouth marksman sidefooted a low cross from Crabb wide from ten yards but made no mistake when Paul Armstrong picked out his run following a neat interchange of passes between Simon Wormull and Jay Lovett in midfield.

It was no more than Borough deserved and they twice went close to doubling their lead in a scintillating opening 20 minutes. First Ben Austin’s powerful header from Crabb’s corner was nodded off the line by Kevin Nicholson and then Crabb sent a 25-yard shot skidding wide.

Wayne Carlisle lifted a shot over Borough’s bar before Torquay got back on level terms in the 34th minute.

Ex-Crawley player Elliott Benyon wriggled free of Marc Pullan on the edge of the area and firing in a shot which beat Lee Hook at his near post.

It was harsh on Borough but it almost got worse before the break when Carlisle headed narrowly wide from close range and then Chris Hargreaves had a goal disallowed for pushing.

Borough seemed to regain their composure during the interval and were 3-1 up within 11 minutes courtesy of a Crabb double.

The popular winger latched on to Armstrong’s lofted ball into the area before curling a shot inside the far post in the 51st minute and five minutes later rose above his marker to head Austin’s driven cross back across goal and in off a post.

Borough added a fourth in the 71st minute when Crabb and Dan Smith combined cleverly down the left and eventually Crabb cut the ball back to Smith to sidefoot home from eight yards.

The visitors restored some pride in injury time when Tim Sills’ header was judged to have crossed the line despite Pullan’s desperate attempt to keep it out.