Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Doncaster Rovers: FLW reports as Pilgrims secure comeback victory | OneFootball

League One action as injury-hit Plymouth Argyle hosted relegation-threatened Doncaster Rovers.

Plymouth Argyle came from behind to beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1, thanks to goals from Bim Pepple and Herbie Kane, which cancelled out Elliot Lee's stunning opener.

Doncaster started the game brightly, and took the lead just after the 20-minute mark. On-loan Wrexham midfielder Elliot Lee volleyed home an excellent effort from a pinpoint Owen Bailey cross.

It took Argyle a while to get into the game, but they would eventually get back on level terms in first-half stoppage time. Wes Harding's cross was flicked into the path of Bim Pepple by Caleb Watts, and the Canadian poked the ball into the net from close range.

Plymouth had a chance to take the lead from the spot just five minutes into the second half when Ronan Curtis' shot hit Bailey's hand, but the winger was denied by a strong save from Zander Clark.

Substitute Herbie Kane made up for the penalty miss though, as he curled in a free-kick which missed everyone in the box, but nestled in the far corner of Clark's goal, which proved to be the goal that wrapped up three points for the Pilgrims.

Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

The first 15 minutes of the game were rather stale, as neither side could fashion any clear-cut chances. Doncaster looked the better of the two sides though, controlling possession and not allowing Argyle out of their own half with their high pressing.

The visitors made their positive start count just after 20 minutes. Bailey's in-swinging cross from the right flank was caught beautifully on the volley by Lee, leaving Luca Ashby-Hammond rooted to the spot.

Argyle tried to respond quickly and nearly did when Curtis arrived to meet a cross at the far post, but was judged to have fouled Jack Senior in the process, which saw Doncaster awarded a free-kick.

Grant McCann's side were firmly in control of the game, and were unlucky not to have a second when Harry Clifton directed a powerful drive at goal that was met by a strong save from Ashby-Hammond.

Plymouth's first real sniff at goal came 10 minutes before the break. Curtis cut inside on the right flank and unleashed a venomous low effort which was well held by Clark at his near post.

Curtis was then involved in another positive Argyle move, finding space once again on the right flank, and curling in an excellent low cross that narrowly evaded the outstretched toe of the arriving Matty Sorinola.

Then in the second minute of four added on, the hosts got back on level terms. A deep cross from Harding was headed on by Watts, allowing the arriving Pepple to tap home from close range.

Argyle maintained their momentum from the end of the first half at the start of the second, and were awarded a penalty five minutes after the restart, when a powerful effort from Curtis struck the hand of skipper Bailey inside the Doncaster box.

The Irishman whose shot won the penalty stepped up to take it, but his shot was a poor one, and was easily saved by Clark low down to his right. Donny then managed to clear the follow-up to safety, after Curtis and Pepple both had another crack at goal.

Tom Cleverley's side hit somewhat of a brick wall after the penalty miss, but Pepple remained a livewire in attack, getting the better of Neill Byrne before firing a shot from the byline into the gloves of Clark.

Fortunately for Curtis, his teammate would spare his blushes from the spot with 15 minutes to go. Substitute Kane curled in a sumptuous free-kick that evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner of the Doncaster net.

It was his first goal for the club after signing on loan from Huddersfield Town in January, and whilst it was unclear whether he meant it or not, it didn't matter to those in green, who were now on course to collect three points.

Kane's excellent strike would prove to be the deciding moment in the match, as the Greens saw out the game comfortably, ending a run of two straight defeats, and keeping themselves in touch with the play-off places.

Doncaster remained 18th in League One, but just three points above the drop zone. It's now all about the rest of the run-in for McCann's men, who have their destiny in their own hands.

Plymouth Argyle player ratings

L. Ashby-Hammond - 5

W. Harding - 6 (H. Kane 66'(7))

A. Mitchell - 7

M. Ross - 6

J. MacKenzie - 6

J. Edwards - 5

M. Boateng - 6

M. Sorniola - 5 (O. Dale 66'(6))

R. Curtis - 5

C. Watts - 6 (J. Paterson 74'(5))

A. Pepple - 8 (O. Oseni 90'(5))

Unused substitutes: Z. Baker, X. Amaechi, J. Mwaro

Doncaster Rovers player ratings

Z. Clark - 7

J. Senior - 5

M. Pearson - 5

J. McGrath - 5 (G. Middleton 79'(5))

N. Byrne - 5 (J. Sterry 79'(5))

R. Gotts - 5 (J. Gibson 80'(5))

H. Clifton - 6 (B. Close 66'(5))

O. Bailey - 6

E. Lee - 7 (B. Sharp 80'(5))

L. Molyneux - 5

B. Hanlan - 5

Unused substitutes: T. Lo-Tutala, H. Adelakun

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Match attendance

There were a total of 16,046 supporters present at Home Park on Saturday afternoon, with a respectable travelling contingency of 537 making the long trip down from Doncaster.

Tom Cleverley delighted as injury-hit Plymouth Argyle secure comeback win

Speaking to PA Media post-match, Argyle boss Cleverley said: “It’s an achievement we have climbed 14 places from where we were, because we went through some difficult times together, not just the group but all of us, the club and fans.

“To get into the top half was significant. To get into the top 10 was a challenge and now we focus on the next one.

“They were the better side first half, up until the change of system when we went to 4-3-3.

“Could I have done that sooner? I am a little bit annoyed with myself because we were getting outnumbered in midfield and we needed to get another body in there, so we dropped Caleb Watts in there and we got a foothold in the game.

“The second half was much better, the intensity, the care on the ball. The introduction of the substitutes had a really good impact.

“The timing of the goal just before half-time is key and, in the end, our second-half performance got the job done.

“Our mentality is strong and the help from the supporters is helping and I am really pleased we managed to overturn a poor first half.

“It’s a challenge because of the quality of the players we have out. We have 10 players injured and arguably seven of those would start.

“Today was never the issue but Tuesday is going to stretch us, it’s going to be a real grit-your-teeth week.”

Grant McCann frustrated as Doncaster Rovers fall to narrow defeat in Devon

Also speaking to PA Media post-match, Doncaster boss McCann said: “I think we have lost the game on two very soft goals that we have conceded.

“They haven’t done a lot to score those goals really. It’s probably our own doing.

“The first one is a long throw, and we just don’t get out to the cross, and we don’t stay with the second phase in the box so that’s on us.

“The second one is just a disjointed line from the free-kick from Kane which doesn’t give our goalkeeper an opportunity to (claim the ball).

“We’ve conceded two of the softest goals to lose this game and that’s probably the most frustrating part because I don’t think there was a lot in the game.

“I thought we were good in spells and they obviously scored on the stroke of half-time which has given them momentum and a bit of a feel for the second half and the timing of the goal is poor from us.

“The referee’s given a soft penalty but we managed to save it and clear it. I just feel frustrated, I don’t think we deserved to lose the game and I don’t think any team deserved to win it.”