Town squandered a number of clear-cut chances, failing to make the most of a dominant display against their resolute visitors.
Andy Mangan twice blasted over having been left unmarked at the back post. Jon Parkin went close a number of times, the big striker a constant menace in the visitors' box. But Michael Poke was up to the challenge in the Torquay goal, pulling off a number of key saves including a finger-tip effort to deny full-back Shaun Beeley from 20 yards.
"I think, at the end of the day, I'll be more disappointed with a point than they will. But that is the nature of the game," said Mellon. "We know we're in a much tougher league, but on another day, we'd have been celebrating a win."
Fleetwood were not daunted by the prospect of their first league appearance, passing the ball with confidence to unlock the Torquay defence.
Mellon added: "We want to play football, that's our philosophy. The spirit they have shown was fantastic. It was just what I wanted to see."
