Argyle 2 Crawley 0: Match report

ARGYLE showed some New Year resilience to see off a tricky Crawley Town side at Home Park to close out an unbeaten December, and end 2016 on top of Sky Bet League Two.

It took almost 70 minutes of a stodgy affair for Argyle to end the stalemate, but Oscar Threlkeld pounced after Glenn Morris pushed out David Fox's cross, giving Argyle a precious lead that they would reenforce in injury-time, when substitute Craig Tanner blasted home to seal the deal.

Derek Adams brought Ben Purrington back in to the Argyle starting 11 for the game, opting to switch Threlkeld, who has been in sparkling form in his adopted left-back position, into central midfield. Connor Smith was the man to make way.

Crawley also made one change, with former Pilgrim Andre Blackman being dropped to the substitutes' bench, being replaced in the team by Joe McNerney.

McNerney came into the side at the heart of a three-man defence, as Crawley looked to tinker with a defence that has conceded more away goals than any other team in Sky Bet League Two. They had plenty to deal with early on, as Arnold Garita was at the fore for several Argyle forays into Crawley territory. One particular piece of industry got him to the bye-line, but a delayed cutback did not quite reach Graham Carey.

Minutes later, Garita picked Josh Yorwerth's pocket and was fouled in the process, but Carey bent the resultant direct free-kick over the bar.

It took 17 minutes for Crawley to fashion anything like a chance, but when it came, it was real heart-in-mouth stuff. A smart corner routine saw Crawley top goalscorer James Collins in a great deal of space but, out of character, Collins made a hash of the attempted shot, and the chance was gone.

From a hopeful ball forward, it was Garita again causing problems for Crawley, bullying Mark Connolly off the ball, and shooting low, where Glenn Morris saved. It was a decent effort, although the onrushing Jordan Slew, to Garita's left, was an interesting, but not taken, option.

Crawley's system had stifled Argyle, and consequently the game. The tempo on the pitch, and the stands, was staccato, with no-one really finding it it easy to get going. After a patient spell of Argyle possession, Jervis prodded goalwards, but had his shot blocked.

It was Crawley, and Collins again, who had the best chance to bread the deadlock before the half-time interval. Enzio Boldewijn robbed the ball from Gary Miller, and released Collins, who bore down on Luke McCormick. Collins' scooped effort was over the Argyle goalkeeper, but over the crossbar, too.