Chris McPhee display pleases Torquay boss Martin Ling

McPhee scored once in his previous spell at Plainmoor during the 2006-07 season

Torquay United boss Martin Ling says he was pleased with the way Chris McPhee acquitted himself up front in their 3-0 win over Macclesfield.

McPhee, 28, scored the Gulls' second goal as he deputised for the injured Rene Howe, and Billy Bodin, who is away with the Wales Under-21 squad.

"I thought Chris brought people into play," Ling told BBC Radio Devon.

"He's played more than 200 times in the league as a front player, so let's not be surprised he can do it," Ling added.

And the Torquay boss hopes that the goal will give McPhee more confidence.

"He had a bit of a bad time last time he was here on his goal record, so it was nice for him to get the goal.

"You could see the confidence it gave to him because we know there is a good player in there," Ling added.

And McPhee's performance means that Ling will have a difficult decision on who to play up front away at Northampton on Saturday.

"It will be a headache for selections," the Torquay manager added.

"I keep saying there are 20 players here that can all do a job.

"Some of the ones that we had to use today wouldn't normally get a start if everyone was fit, but they went out there and did their job."