Goals either side of the break from Luke Jephcott and ex-Town loanee Conor Grant saw League One leaders Plymouth come from behind to beat the Blues 2-1 at Home Park. George Edmundson gave Town the lead in the 14th minute but Jephcott levelled a minute before the break and Grant five minutes after the restart, while the Blues missed a number of chances to get back on terms in the latter stages.

Luke Woolfenden and Hayden Coulson returned to the XI with Janoi Donacien and Wes Burns both missing out due to illness, while Sone Aluko was also absent having suffered what looked to be a broken nose in last Saturday’s 2-1 win against Fleetwood.

Woolfenden started at right-back with Coulson ahead of him on the right wing with Matt Penney continuing at left-back. Donacien and Burns had both travelled with the squad to the South-West on Thursday before being taken unwell.

Kayden Jackson, a scorer in last year’s corresponding fixture, was back on the bench alongside last week’s last-gasp winning goalscorer Bersant Celina.

For Plymouth, Adam Randell came in for the suspended Jordan Houghton in midfield, while Ryan Broom replaced Danny Mayor, sent off in the game between the teams in Devon last season, who dropped to the bench.

Former Town defender James Wilson was at the centre of the Pilgrims’ defence and one-time loanee Grant at left wing-back.

As the teams came out, both sets of fans at a sell-out 16,087 Home Park crowd including 1,513 Blues - Plymouth’s biggest attendance since 2008 - took part in a display paying tribute to Paul Mariner, a legend at the two clubs. Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for the England striker, who died in July aged 68.

Town almost took the lead in the second minute. Following an Argyle corner, Lee Evans sent Coulson, playing his first game after his thigh injury, away on the left and the on-loan Middlesbrough man cut across to Macauley Bonne, whose attempt at stroking home was blocked by home skipper Joe Edwards.

From the resultant corner, the home side had a similarly clear-cut chance to go in front. Ryan Hardie out-fought Penney just inside the Town half and was through one-one-one with former Plymouth youngster Christian Walton. The Blues keeper stood firm and blocked with the loose ball cannoning out for a corner of Sam Morsy.

In the aftermath of that corner ex-Town loanee Grant struck a shot which smashed against Wilson. On nine, Jephcott flicked a header to Walton.

After a remarkably frenetic and open early period, the game eventually settled with Town seeing most of the ball.

And in the 14th minute, the Blues went in front. Penney won a corner on the left and the flag-kick eventually reached Bonne at the far post. Showing the sort of composure Town fans have become used to this season, the striker laid the ball back to Morsy, who looped a cross to the far post from where Edmundson nodded in his second goal of the season.

The Blues continued to take the game to the league leaders having gone in front but without being able to carve out another chance.

Goalscorer Edmundson was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 22nd minute for a foul on Edwards which was clumsy rather than malicious. Three minutes later, Conor Chaplin joined him in the book for catching Jephcott late as the striker broke on halfway.

Plymouth began to see most of the ball but with their final pass or cross all too often going astray or if not cut out by a Town defender. On 33 Edmundson did superbly to hold off Jephcott and see the ball out of play.

As the half moved into its final five minutes Town were well in control, passing the ball around confidently with the home crowd having been silenced although without creating an opportunity to double their lead.

However, in the 44th minute, the Pilgrims levelled out of nothing. Following a throw-in on the left, Randell crossed and Edwards nipped in front of the hesitant Penney to stab at goal. Walton did superbly to tip onto the bar but Jephcott tapped home at the far post.

Two minutes into injury time and seconds before the whistle, Edwards was sent away on the left, cut in and hit a shot which home keeper Michael Cooper saved down to his right.

Town will have left the field feeling that they should have still been in front. The Blues had got their noses in front via Edmundson’s goal and had been on top and being given little trouble by the Pilgrims as half-time approached.

However, Penney was on his heels as the cross came over with Edwards much sharper, while Walton was unfortunate to concede having saved the initial effort well.

A poor time for the Blues to concede in a game - after the frantic first few minutes - short on chances at both ends.

The Blues started the second half sloppily and in the 50th minute from the period’s first attack, the home side went in front.

Ex-Town loanee Grant exchanged passes with Brendan Galloway on the left of the box before hitting a low shot across Walton and into the corner of the net.

The home fans were in full voice after their side’s quick turnaround - two goals in six minutes ignoring half-time - and on the pitch the Pilgrims were looking a different team from before the break. On 52 Broom crossed low from the left and Hardie got the ball caught under his feet at the near post and it bounced out of play.

In the 55th minute, an Evans corner flew dangerously across the Plymouth six-yard box but without anyone getting a touch.

Town, however, had still to regain their composure from conceding so early in the half with too many passes going astray. On 56 Morsy was booked for a foul on Randell.

Just after the hour, Town swapped Coulson for Celina in what was presumably a pre-planned substitution given the Middlesbrough loanee’s recent spell out.

The change saw Edwards move to the right and in the 63rd minute the former West Brom winger cut in from that flank and hit a shot which looked on target until it was blocked.

Argyle came close to sealing the three points in the 64th minute when Hardie was played in on goal on the left of the box from where he struck a low shot which Walton somehow diverted wide with his foot. Hardie could have had a hat-trick given the chances he had had over the course of the afternoon.

Town were starting to threaten more in a game almost as open as it had been in the early stages with Celina quickly getting involved. On 65 the Kosovan fed in Penney, who did well to take the ball inside his man before hitting a right-foot shot which Cooper saved.

The Blues should have levelled in the 73rd minute when Celina crossed low from the left to the unmarked Edwards but the winger stabbed well wide when it looked easier to hit the target.

A minute later, Plymouth swapped Hardie, who will wonder how he hadn’t scored at least once, for Jordon Garrick.

The Pilgrims sub was booked within seconds of coming on for clashing with Toto Nsiala having tried to prevent the Blues from taking a free-kick after he had been caught offside. Nsiala joined him in the referee’s book, somewhat harshly.

Plymouth were looking as likely to add to their lead as Town were to equalise and on 77, following a break after a Town throw deep in the Argyle half, Broom curled a shot from distance which Walton claimed with ease.

Town swapped Chaplin for Joe Pigott on 79, then Rekeem Harper for Evans a minute later as they continued to look for an equaliser. In the 84th minute, without either side having threatened, Argyle swapped Broom for Mayor.

A minute later, the Blues should have been on terms. After good work from Edwards, Woolfenden crossed low and the ball reached Bonne, but the 10-goal striker shot straight at Cooper, who gratefully held on.

In the 87th minute Town had yet another chance to draw level. Harper was played on goal on the left of the box but Cooper saved and the ball struck Dan Scarr on the way out. Bonne claimed with a hand but referee Robert Lewis felt otherwise, hardly the first time one of his decisions had annoyed the Town players and fans.

Moments later, Bonne was tripped as he chased a lost cause down the right but again referee Lewis waved away his protests.

Neither side created an opportunity in injury time and there was a huge roar from the home support at the whistle as they maintained an unbeaten run which stretches back to an opening day of the season defeat at Rotherham.

Town were again guilty of allowing the opposition back into a game in which they were in full control. Having taken the lead, the Blues gave away a soft goal before half-time, then started the second period slowly, leading to Plymouth’s second.

However, in the latter stages, after the introduction of Celina and with Edwards looking more dangerous from the right, Town created more than enough chances to have claimed what would on balance would have been a fair result.

The Blues, beaten for the first time in six, are next in action at Wycombe, who drew 3-3 at Fleetwood today, on Tuesday evening.

Plymouth: Cooper, Wilson, Scarr, Broom (Mayor 84), Edwards (c), Hardie (Garrick 74), Grant, Randell, Galloway (Gillesphey 90), Camara, Jephcott. Unused: Burton, Agard, Law, Jenkins-Davies.

Town: Walton, Woolfenden, Edmundson, Nsiala, Penney, Coulson (Celina 61), Morsy (c), Evans (Harper 80), Chaplin (Pigott 79), Edwards, Bonne. Unused: Hladky, Burgess, El Mizouni, Jackson. Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury). Att: 16,087 (Town: 1,513).

Pagepix and TWTD

Dear_oh_Dear added 17:57 - Oct 30 Err.. we did not 'outplay' Plymouth. We were beaten by a better team....
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Orraman added 18:06 - Oct 30 Yes Wooly74, the moaners, of which I am one, are back. I was totally underwhelmed when Cook was appointed and I have seen nothing since to convince me that he is the man to return us to a higher level. Tactically he is totally devoid of improvisation. All substitutions are like for like and the formation is so set in concrete that all opposing teams know what to do. Yes it was very disappointing to lose our complete right side today and I wish a speedy recovery to Janoi, Wes and Sone. However to play a left back who has been out for several weeks following an injury as an attacking right midfield just illustrates a brain cell deficiency. Surely Celina Who won the game for us in dramatic fashion last week should have started on the left as he must have been on a high since then with Edwards on the right. He could even have started with Jackson on the right to see how that went. At least Jackson has pace which might have worried Plymouth defence. Apart from anything else his selection of Coulson out of position would have done nothing for his confidence but at least his game time today might make it easier for him to slot in for Penney on Tuesday night as Penney appeared to have a poor game today. I could go on and on about my reasons for moaning about Cook but I will stop there. I will still enjoy my visits to Portman Rd however for although he is so tactically inept at least the entertainment has been the best since the days of Joe Royle, Darren Bent and Shefti Kuqi

11

Stato added 18:08 - Oct 30 We missed chances but so did they. I thought it was an even contest overall as Celina got us back on top after a poor first 15 mins of second half. Chaplin at 10 for me with Celina on the left and Burns on the right. Edwards needs to recapture his early season form. Losing at Plymouth is not a disgrace but it just looks bad because of the really poor start to the season. A win at Wycombe will give us 3 points over 2 tough away games that most of us would of been happy to see 2 points from. I don't believe this group of players would be mid table with a better quality manager but I just hope Cook can turn it around and closing in on top 2. Play offs not good enough in my opinion

0

blue86 added 18:10 - Oct 30 Bazza8564 - yeah wolfie isnt a right back, but to suggest playing toto at right back terrifies me lol. Wolfie much much better in possession than toto aswell. Shame we had donacien and burns out today really.
2

blueboy1981 added 18:12 - Oct 30 There is something fundamentally wrong with a Team that continuously, week after week, cannot defend a lead. This in my book shows either, or both, a distinct lack of character. or work rate. When you take a lead you are in the driving seat, step up your game then for a period of time, and the game should be yours. It's an age old thing with our Club, that it is the cue to switch off and sit back. It HAS to be Coached out of this Team, else we are going nowhere again. Poor Show - forget the fact Plymouth are top - that can be seen as an excuse. Doesn't wash with me - Plymouth run, and have a team put together on peanuts in comparison - but obviously have a damn good Manager. Credit to you Plymouth Argyle - an ITFC reality check ….. !!!!

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ImAbeliever added 18:16 - Oct 30 Not the end of the world….
1

ringwoodblue added 18:18 - Oct 30 Cook picked some wrong players in the wrong positions. Really missed Donacien today. Bonne not scoring easy chances doesn't help. If we don't stop conceding so many goals we are going to struggle to even get into the playoffs this season. Like our defence, our confidence is so fragile but we have to pick ourselves up and get a result at Wycombe
9

Nobbysnuts added 18:20 - Oct 30 One step forward and two steps back...I'm afraid there is a pattern forming here and it's not a promotion One.
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surgery added 18:26 - Oct 30 Sorry Cook not good enough I'm afraid. I think a lot of people have concluded that you're punching above your weight here. With the squad you've assembled they should be getting results far better than this
7

blueboy1981 added 18:29 - Oct 30 Games are not always won on paper, or with costly players - but we really are struggling to match some of the lesser lights who seriously struggle to compete ‘off the field' with Clubs like us. We should - and have to - do better. After all this is the Third Division of English Football - nothing more …. !!!!
6

Nobbysnuts added 18:56 - Oct 30 And those people looking at the Wycombe game as a bounce back....absolutely no chance. We will get nothing from that game. Cook has not got the tactical ability to get a result at Wycombe.
4

KernewekBlue added 19:22 - Oct 30 How we didn't get at least a point from this game is beyond me. I thought we were the better team on the day but the finickity referee seemed hell bent on awarding Plymouth free kicks out of nothing. Their end of the first half equaliser came from a free kick that seemed very harsh indeed.. the ref was also wearing a green shirt. There were one or two fouls by Plymouth players that went unpunished and also a hand ball in their penalty area by a Plymouth defender which was missed or overlooked by the ref... we could have and probably should have won the game, all being equal. Celina was a constant threat when he came on... just a shame he wasn't present from the start. Bonne and Edwards had decent second-half chances to score but spurned them when it seemed easier to make the net bulge. On any other day, they'd have slotted those chances home. The better side lost today but hopefully, it will even itself out over the season. Onwards and upwards. COYB

6

herfie added 19:42 - Oct 30 Bring Marcus Stewart into the club as Assistant Manager. Not a Scouse passport holder, but speaks with clarity and sense. PC's support team needs up-gunning.
3

warktheline added 19:43 - Oct 30 Simply not good enough!...and a run of tough games coming up!
0

DifferentGravy added 20:29 - Oct 30 Gutted. Was at the game and the referee was absolutely awful. Worst ref for a long time. Very much a Homer and gave so many bizarre decisions in favour of Plymouth, really disappointed with the standard, just not good enough for pro football. Thought it was a fairly even first half. Cant believe Pennys defending for goal right on half time.....was seething. JUST GET YOUR FOOT THROUGH IT. Both Penny and Edwards really struggled first half. Came out of toilets to see us 2-1 down and they had another opportunity to make it 3.........but that was it for them. We then swapped Edwards to right who improved and proceeded to boss the game for the last 20 minutes. Celina came on and we tore them open time and time again. Had 3/4 guilt edged chances and should have equalized. A decent performance against a VERY fortunate Plymouth side. Was encouraged by our performance and hopefully we can carry this on in the next three games.....only take our chances. 1500 away fans were excellent. Nice tribute to Mariner.

8

blueboy1981 added 20:29 - Oct 30 A Managers tactical ability is key to success, some have it, some don't, as we all know from the past decade or so. A Good Manager/Coach can spot a problem in play, recognise remedy, and change formation to correct before the game escapes - others just plough on with there original plan as the only way they know. I have to say I have my doubts about Paul Cook actually having a Plan B or C. But hope he proves me wrong before the end of the season. There is, and always be Managers, and Managers !!!

4

SickParrot added 20:31 - Oct 30 Over the last 6 games we are 6th in the form table so our first loss in five games and a narrow defeat to the league leaders with important players missing is not too bad. However, our bad start to the season means that we have to take points off the other clubs in the top 6 if we are to catch any of them. I think we must win at Wycombe. My only gripe about today is the baffling selection of the excellent left back Coulson on the right side of midfield!

4

ThaiBlue added 20:34 - Oct 30 Poor from us not to get anything from a team at the top not sure how they are as they were there for the taking.bonne cost us but without him we would be nowhere so cant be to harsh,but goals win games.sorry but cook is defo not the the man to lead town to anything,make a change soon as consistency is the key which sadly we dont have.
5

chepstowblue added 20:40 - Oct 30 It's not often I blame the referee for a loss, but this clown was 100% responsible for the result today. Add the name of Robert Lewis to the list consisting of Stroud,D'urso and Ilderton. I dont think anybody who attended today will forget the ineptitude of the man.As for us...an unusual 11, and poor performances from Woolfenden, Penney and the strangely out of position Coulson, and Edwards is still flattering to deceive. Other than an incredible first 5mins, and a spirited final 10 where at least one of three excellent chances should have been taken for a deserved point this was pretty average fare. We are nearly but not quite. A soft under belly will certainly cost us come april. Finally, I find it extraordinary that we have a delinquent element of younger supporters who at the final whistle turned to those who were applauding the players off shouting "why are you clapping them" ?!! The fact that these morons are even asking the question suggests that they should be doing something else on a Saturday afternoon! Time to grow up boys. It's not all about singing when you're winning after all is it.

8

algarvefan added 22:25 - Oct 30 Just wanted to say remember where we were and how good our football was just one year ago. This team is miles better, the future looks good and I for one think we are progressing well. Enjoyed the game, that's what matters, onwards and upwards.
6

FrankMarshall added 22:27 - Oct 30 So few posts. Shows the feeling of dejection amongst supporters. We didn't deserve anything from the game and Plymouth should have got a 3rd a long time before the end. But the fact that it was 2-1 made the last 5 mins of the game very exciting. Sorry, but we will end mid-table this season though do have strong hopes of a good season next.
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GatesofDelirium added 23:08 - Oct 30 @DifferentGravy.. Spot on fella, couldn't agree more.
1

Minneapolis_ITFC added 23:59 - Oct 30 Some, and I say some, replies are laughable. Going from euphoria one week to Armageddon the next. So the team lost, it was always going to be a tough trip out there and many would have expected to come away with nothing anyhow, but all reports suggest at least the team tried and gave it a go. We could just as easily have tied the game or even won it instead of them ? maintaining a lead for us remains a concern, seems not all players are keeping focus at critical times and collectively these errors may or will cost the team dear by end of season. Mariner would be honored to get the respect he deserved by both fans, it's just a pity we couldn't get the win for him or indeed ourselves and the fanbase.

3

Mathie3Petta2 added 08:26 - Oct 31 Is Kane Vincent-Young injured? Playing him in this game seems obvious.
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Michael101 added 08:57 - Oct 31 I wish people would read the report before commenting, janoi was taken I'll Saturday morning so no time to get KVY down to Plymouth in time,
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