Plymouth End Losing Run With Dramatic Draw
Plymouth ended a run of successive defeats with a dramatic draw at home to Middlesbrough, although further injuries leave cause for concern going into the festive period.
The Vertu-backed side had suffered four straight defeats going in to the game, which saw manager Wayne Rooney go up against his former Manchester United team-mate Michael Carrick.
Despite being without Muhamed Tijani, Ibrahim Cissoko and Morgan Whittaker through injury, Argyle carried more of a threat in the opening half, despite losing another forward player when Michael Obafemi picked up a knee injury within ten minutes of the start.
The home side had already spurned chances to go ahead before the opening goal came seven minutes before the break, with Brendon Galloway’s cross flicking off Ryan Hardie onto the head of Lewis Gibson – who powered the ball into the net to send Home Park wild.
Mustapha Bundu missed a chance to double the lead just before the break and Middlesbrough took advantage to draw level five minutes into the second half thanks to a deflected shot from Jonny Howson from near the penalty spot.
Despite then losing Hardie to injury, Argyle went on the attack and moved back in front when a cross from the right-hand side from Bundu was volleyed home by Darko Gyabi only for ‘Boro to level a second time within five minutes.
This time around, Hayden Hackney fired in a shot that Dan Grimshaw did well to block, but the ball fell back at the feet of the forward who was able to finish at the second time of asking.
A back post effort from Bundu looked like it could give Plymouth a much needed win but there was to be a further twist as Emmanuel Latte Lath smashed in a third equaliser that left Argyle to settle for a point.
Away trips to Coventry City and Oxford now follow over the festive period before a home tie with Bristol City.