Mid-table Leyton Orient twice came from behind to snatch a point and further dent Torquay's promotion hopes.
It was the fifth successive home draw for the Gulls, stuttering form thath threatens to spoil an entertaining season on attacking football.
Torquay took the lead in the 26th minute when former Arsenal starlet Jo Kuffour latched onto a lovely through ball by Alex Russell and beat two men before firing home.
But all season Torquay have struggled to hold on leads, and so it proved again.
Against the run of play the O's equalised in the 41st minute when Matt Brazier pulled back a low cross from the left and Gary Alexander tucked the ball in to the far corner from 12 yards.
Two minutes later the visitors should have taken the lead, but Mike Turner sent a free header just wide from Matt Lockwood's quickly taken free kick.
Torquay lost leading scorer Martin Gritton with a back injury at half time, but in the 65th minute his replacement, David Graham headed them back in front.
Kevin Hill's left-wing cross found Graham at the far post and he nodded his 15th goal of the season.
Teenager Orient keeper Glenn Morris, a stand-in for the injured Lee Harrison, showed maturity beyond his years as Torquay piled on the pressure in search of a third goal, clinging on to a fierce drive from Lee Canoville.
Torquay seemed odds on to clinch an important victory for their play-off hopes, but Orient hit back in the 73rd minute.
Lockwood delivered a long, diagonal cross from the left and substitute Gary Fletcher dived to head the O's second equaliser.
Torquay boss Leroy Resenior said: "I'm really disappointed for the players because they played so well.
"I couldn't sleep after our defeat at Southend on Saturday, because we didn't show enough desire there. But I can sleep tonight.
"People say that our defence is suspect. We can make our defenders better, and we will do that, but I won't be at a club where we defend for 80 minutes each game.
"We try to create chances and entertain - that's how I've been brought up." Orient Manager Paul Brush agreed, adding: "To see two teams playing football mostly on the ground and intent on attack proves that you can play football in this division."