In his first season at Plainmoor he led Torquay to a third-placed finish in the Conference Premier and thus a place in the end of season play-offs to get back into the Football League. Torquay faced Buckle's former club and local rivals Exeter City. Despite a 2–1 win in the away leg, Exeter hit back and Torquay lost 4–1 at home (5–3 on aggregate). Buckle also took Torquay to the FA Trophy final, however, that was also to end in disappointment as the "Gulls" were defeated 1–0 by Ebbsfleet United at Wembley.