The former Mansfield keeper pulled off half a dozen top class saves, including two against Jo Kuffour when the Torquay striker was clean through.
Torquay finished with only ten men after a substitute Tony Bedeau was sent off in the 83rd minute for a lunging, two-footed challenge on County striker Steve Scoffham.
That dismissal, in a match which also produced six bookings, sparked a spirited effort by County to win it in the closing stages.
Left-winger Chris Palmer, who was a constant threat, twice cut in for rasping shots. One of them in stoppage time beat Torquay keeper Andy Marriott but was cleared off the line by full-back Brian McGlinchey.
Torquay boss Leroy Rosenior was not happy with his side's first half performance, to the point where he made a surprise double substitution after only 26 minutes.
He took off both his wingers, Alex Lawless and Kevin Hill, and sent on Bedeau and new French signing Mamadou Sow.
Sow brought a touch of class to Torquay's attack, supplying one perfect through ball which Kuffour squandered with only Pilkington to beat.
By half-time Pilkington had already made spectacular saves from Craig Taylor and Kuffour, and he continued in that form in the second half.
New County manager Gudjon Thordarson had to make a change at half-time, because full-back Dan Martin was unwell after suffering a head knock.
Robert Ullathorne took over and County started to catch Torquay on the break. It was a pattern that was repeated throughout the second half, with Marriott pushing Pilkington for the Man of the Match award.
At one stage, with tempers fraying, referee Mick Fletcher had to take time out to calm Thordarson down on the touch line after he had failed to punish an incident in which Sow collided with David Pipe.
Kelvin Wilson and Torquay sub Leon Constantine were also booked for an off the ball spat moments before Bedeau got his marching orders.