Plymouth 2 Crewe 1: Match report

ARE you having a laugh?

Argyle returned to the top of the Sky Bet League Two table for the first time in five months with a 2-1 victory that, frankly, did not look on for a great deal of Saturday afternoon.

In fact, the final game of the season, at Grimsby Town next Saturday, kicks off at 5.30pm. This week, Argyle left it until about to 4.30pm to start the game. When they got going though, it was most effective.

Crewe started at 3pm, and scored six minutes later, when James Jones beautifully guided home. Argyle laboured for a long while, but Ryan Taylor's equaliser was the catalyst for a comeback completed by substitute Nathan Blissett.

Even more satisfying, on a rare day when Argyle fans everywhere were supporting rivals Exeter City, the Grecians obliged with a 3-1 win at Doncaster, which meant Argyle were back at the summit.

Argyle boss Derek Adams intended to make one change to his team, bringing in Matty Kennedy for Connor Smith, but ended up making two, as Oscar Threlkeld pulled out at a very late stage, with Gary Miller deputising.

The Alex dominated the first 25 minutes of the game, taking a sixth minute lead when Jones superbly controlled a volley after a corner was partially headed away. Chances continued to come for the away side, most notably when George Cooper's cross-cum-shot was clawed away brilliantly by Luke McCormick after it looked like it may looped in.

A more heartstopping moment for the Green Army came when Chris Dagnall appeared at the far post to latch on to a ball across by Callum Ainslie. Unbelievably, Dagnall managed to shoot over the bar from no more than two yards out. He was, however, offside, and even had he converted the simple chance, it would not have counted.

Crewe kept up the pressure, with more than one ball flashing across Argyle's area, and Jakub Sokolik having to time an intervention perfectly when Crewe broke. Had the Czech not checked the run, it was either goal or red card. Fortunately, Jakub's timing was spot on.

Argyle finished the second half much better than they started it, but generated no chances to speak of, other a couple of Carey crosses that found good areas, but no green jerseys.

At half-time, Derek Adams withdrew Jake Jervis, replacing him with Nathan Blissett, and the alteration precipitated a switch to 4-4-2, with Blissett joining Ryan Taylor up front. Five minutes later Bradley had entered the fray, his recovery from injury deemed suitable enough to play 40 minutes. He replaced a visibly limping Yann Songo'o.