kruse linked up with former leicester city assistant manager malcolm musgrove to sign for fourth division club torquay united on loan in march 1975. he made 10 appearances during the remainder of the 1974–75 season and signed permanently at the end of the campaign. kruse established himself in the team the following season and won the club's player of the year award. the most memorable event of kruse's time with torquay came in a match versus cambridge united in january 1977, when he scored what is claimed to be the quickest own goal of all time, scoring after just six seconds of play. kruse departed torquay united in march 1977, having made 79 league appearances and scored four goals during two years at plainmoor.