It began with the high of a goal – but the debut of Shrewsbury Town striker Jake Robinson for Torquay could be turning sour over an administrative error.

Robinson made the loan switch from Town to Torquay on Monday night and had an immediate impact, scoring an early goal in his new side’s 3-1 home defeat to Hereford just 24 hours later.

But it is understood the formalities on Robinson’s deal were completed after the early afternoon deadline for players to feature the following night.

And that means the stunned Gulls could face a punishment – which may include a points deduction – from the Football League.

“I was shocked – it’s not the sort of news you expect,” said Torquay boss Paul Buckle.

“Jake put us in front and one of our directors came down to the dug-out and said they had some bad news.

“I worried about my family to start with because it was quite a surreal moment.

“Then I found out Jake should not have been playing for us.

“We are all gutted over what has happened and all we can do is apologise and we’ll wait and see what happens.”

Torquay confirmed in a statement that they have informed the Football League over their administrative error.

“The club was alerted to the fact an unregistered player had taken the field after kick-off and we have voluntarily offered our explanation to the Football League,” the statement read.

By JAMES GARRISON