Referee Andy Penn controversially suspended play in the 83rd minute, with Torquay leading 2-0, because of a floodlight failure.
The lights were only on as an aid, and playing conditions were near-perfect.
Both teams retreated to the dressing-rooms, while Cornforth protested over the hold-up while Orient boss Martin Ling argued for an abandonment.
When play eventually restarted, Torquay comfortably completed the final seven minutes to make it two wins and a draw under Cornforth.
It was a key result for both clubs, and a game of two halves.
Orient, beaten only once away this season, looked the better side in the first half.
Torquay goalkeeper Andy Marriott pulled off a series of top-class saves to deny Jabo Ibehre, Gabriel Zakauni and Shane Tudor in the first half-hour.
Then Torquay skipper James Sharp cleared an Ibehre header off his own line in the 33rd minute, Marriott saving Zakuani's follow-up header.
It was a different story in the second half, especially after Torquay took the lead 34 seconds after the restart.
Kevin Hill flicked on Sharp's long throw from the left and Martin Phillips stabbed the ball home from ten yards at the far post.
Ling sent on two strikers, new signing Paul Connor and Lee Steele, in an attempt to repair the damage. But Torquay had taken control by then, and they scored their clincher in the 61st minute.
Paul Robinson put in a smart run and cross from the left, Tony Bedeau stumbled as he tried to finish first time, but he recovered to hook the ball home at the second attempt while he was still lying on the ground. It was Bedeau's ninth goal of the season.
Orient were showing no signs of saving themselves when Mr Penn raised their hopes of a miraculous escape with his decision to suspend play. But justice was done in the end.