Shrewsbury Town slipped ever closer to the third division relegation zone when play-off chasing Torquay grabbed a last-minute winner to secure three points in a dramatic Gay Meadow encounter.
With 15 minutes left the visitors looked to have the points safely in the bag, after goals from Martin Gritton and Alex Russell eased them into a 2-0 lead.
However, in the 76th minute Shrewsbury reduced the deficit through centre back Peter Wilding and with seven minutes left were back on terms when top scorer Luke Rodgers netted from the penalty spot.
Just as the match looked set to end with honours even, up popped Torquay skipper David Woozley to head a last-gasp winner that keeps his side's play-off hopes alive.
Without a win in their last four matches, Shrewsbury have dropped down the table to stand only four points off the bottom, and despite a bright start when Rodgers struck a post and skipper Nigel Jemson fired narrowly wide, the home side went behind when Gritton fired the visitors ahead from 25 yards in the 24th minute.
Torquay had a number of opportunities to increase their advantage before Russell struck from the edge of the box 13 minutes after the break. From coasting to victory, the Plainmoor side found themsleves pegged back as Shrewsbury scored twice in six minutes.
First Wilding slammed the ball home from eight yards out to give the Shrews hope, then Rodgers netted from the spot, taking his tally to the season to 14 after Russell was adjudged to have handled a cross from Shrewsbury substitute Ian Stevens.
Right at the death Woozley was on hand to head Torquay's winner as the Gulls closed in on a play-off spot.