TWO towering Aaron Downes headers and a second half strike from Paul McCallum were enough to sink Bury in a match played in stormy conditions at Gigg Lane.

Nathan Cameron’s well-placed first half volley was scant consolation for the home side, coming either side of Downes’ close-range efforts from deep Kevin Nicholson corners.

Neither side looked capable of defending high balls into the box as a blustery wind caused havoc in the opening half.

Torrential rain, thunder and lightning added to the doomsday feel after the break before Elliot Benyon managed to pull back a low ball for McCallum to put the Devon side 3-1 up on 56 minutes.

The scoreline flattered Alan Knill’s fellow strugglers, but Bury, who played the better football, were unable to force their way back into the match as the waterlogged pitch hampered their efforts.

And Torquay almost stretched their lead late on as Jak McCourt hit the post and Lee Mansell forced a good save from Brian Jensen.

The defeat saw Bury fall back below Torquay in the League Two table, dropping to 22nd, one place and three points above the drop zone.