Argyle survival hopes improve

Plymouth Argyle’s fight for survival in the Championship was given a dramatic boost last night when they beat Westcountry rivals Bristol City 3-2 at Home Park.

Argyle were leading 2-0 at the break with goals from Chris Clarke and ex-Man City player Bradley Wright-Phillips. Phillips with a superb overhead kick just before half-time.

In the space of 20 minutes the Robins were soon level - pulling it back to 2-2 after City striker Nicky Maynard struck twice to upset the Home Park faithful.

Carl Fletcher’s goal won it for Argyle with his 20-yard injury-time strike from outside the penalty box - sending the home fans euphoric.

Plymouth Manager, Paul Mariner told BBC Sport: “It was a brilliant finish and worthy of winning any match - and you could see how much it meant to him.”

Fighting spirit

Bristol City were reduced to 10 men after Jamal Campbell-Ryce was sent off for his second bookable offence, with his challenge on Plymouth’s Chris Clarke.

Mariner told the PAFC official website: “I am obviously delighted to be on the right end of a late winner. I knew that the players were ready for this. I’ve been preaching and shouting from the rooftops about how resilient and ultra-professional these guys are.

“We’ve got a lot of fight in the dressing room. The players really care about what they’re doing and we all have ownership in where we are in the table, and they want to put it right.”

This win was only Plymouth's fifth home league win of the season and it keeps their dreams of Championship football survival alive for another day.

Ten fixtures remain for Plymouth in the Championship with a total of 30 points up for grabs. They are now only four points from safety in the Championship.

Plymouth’s next opponents are fellow-strugglers Scunthorpe United, who sit one place above them in 22nd, with just three points separating the two sides.

TUESDAY 16, MARCH 2010 - Championship

Plymouth Argyle 3 - 2 Bristol City | FT | (HT 2 - 0)

Clark 31                   Maynard 58

Wright-Phillips 45       Maynard 78

Fletcher 90+1

Att: 9,289