Plymouth Argyle Continue Battle After FA Cup Run Ends

31/03/2025 13:44 Share

Plymouth Argyle Continue Battle After FA Cup Run Ends

Plymouth Argyle’s battle to avoid dropping down to EFL League One continued in March after a dream run in the FA Cup finally came to an end.

The month kicked off with Argyle sitting three points from safety in the Championship, with a trip to Manchester City provided a break from the huge fight for survival in the league.

Having already beaten Brentford and Liverpool to make it into the fifth round, the Vertu-backed side were bidding to spring another shock in the competition at the Etihad Stadium – and took the lead when Maksym Talovierov headed in from a corner.

The English champions drew level before the break however thanks to Nico O’Reilly, who then netted again after the break to give his side the lead. A late third from Kevin De Bruyne was harsh on the Pilgrims, who bowed out with their heads held high to focus on the league.

A trip to Hull City provided a chance to try and climb level on points with the opposition but would prove to be a tough game just three days after the Man City trip as goals from Joe Geldhardt and Abu Kamara wrapped three points for the home side – although the second goal had more than a hint of offside to it.

A difficult afternoon at Home Park followed as Sheffield Wednesday emerged as 3-0 winners from their visit to Devon, but Argyle battled back well away at Portsmouth to score a first away win in the league since beating Rotherham nearly twelve months earlier.

Mustapha Bundu and Ryan Hardie netted either side of half-time to put the Pilgrims in front and held on to secure a vital three points, despite Matthew Sorinola being dismissed late on and Portsmouth pulling one back through Adil Aouchiche.

That brought the gap to safety back down to three points before a drama-filled afternoon at home to fellow strugglers Derby County.

The visitors went ahead at Home Park thanks to goals from Marcus Harness and Harrison Armstrong in the opening 25 minutes, before Bundu fired in a free-kick to halve the gap before the half-time break.

Less than a minute after half-time, Plymouth drew level when Nat Phillips put through his own goal, with the game then opening up as both sides looked to secure all three points. Bundu went close to a winner for the home side before late heartache as Harness grabbed his second goal with a handful of minutes left to secure the win.

That meant Argyle once again slipped six points from safety and a goalless draw with Watford in the final game of March left plenty to do going into April – which includes games with both leaders Sheffield United and in form Coventry City.

March Results:

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