It took until the second half for the match to stir up any excitement, as Gulls midfielder Damon Lathrope was forced to head off his own line to keep the scores level.
Minutes later, following Nathan Blissett's handball in the box, keeper Brendan Moore was the Torquay hero, saving a penalty from Danny Johnson.
Both sides were reduced to 10 when Johnson scythed through Ben Gerring, and the latter reacted to the bad tackle with an irate shove.
McGinty came close to winning it for Torquay late on when he struck the post.
Match ends, Gateshead 0, Torquay United 0.
Second Half ends, Gateshead 0, Torquay United 0.
Substitution, Torquay United. Jamie Chamberlain replaces Jamie Reid.
Substitution, Gateshead. Rhys Oates replaces James Bolton.
Wes York (Gateshead) is shown the yellow card.
Ben Gerring (Torquay United) is shown the red card.
Danny Johnson (Gateshead) is shown the red card.
Nathan Blissett (Torquay United) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Torquay United. Brett Williams replaces Sam Chaney.
Substitution, Gateshead. Reece Styche replaces Sam Jones.
James Bolton (Gateshead) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Torquay United. Giancarlo Gallifuoco replaces Aman Verma.
Second Half begins Gateshead 0, Torquay United 0.
First Half ends, Gateshead 0, Torquay United 0.
Damon Lathrope (Torquay United) is shown the yellow card.
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Gateshead and Torquay did little to arrest their indifferent form with a drab goalless draw at the International Stadium.