Plymouth edge closer to Championship with win over ten-man Bristol Rovers

Plymouth Argyle are a win away from Championship football after beating ten-man Bristol Rovers 2-0 at Home Park.

Second-half goals from Niall Ennis and Macaulay Gillesphey allowed the Pilgrims to retain top spot and now one win is enough for them to secure a return to the second tier. The Gas had to play at a man disadvantage for more than 75 minutes after Antony Evans’ two yellow cards inside a 12 minute spell.

The match started in scrappy fashion with Plymouth enjoying the opening moments but they got frustrated. Lamare Bogarde was caught by a flailing arm from Danny Mayor with Rovers disappointed.

Macaulay Gillesphey’s 30-yard free-kick found Callum Wright after Lewis Gibson lost his man but his tame header went wide. Gibson suffered a few nervy moments as he lost his man but thankfully Niall Ennis was adjudged to have handled the ball after being found with a good cross.

Rovers had strong appeals for a penalty turned down when Gillesphey challenged Aaron Collins in the box but the referee held firm. In a quick attack, Mayor forced a save from Belshaw from a tight angle.

The visitors were dealt a blow when Evans was shown a second yellow card in 13 minutes after fouling Mayor. A wicked deflection gave James Wilson a chance to score but he hooked his shot over the bar.

Plymouth found a pocket of space from Evans’ dismissal as Mumba forced Belshaw into a save from a narrow-angle again. The hosts nearly opened the scoring as Niall Ennis nearly found Wilson in the box but Grant Ward made a goal-saving block. Norwich loanee Mumba for the third time forced Belshaw into a save from an angled shot.

Argyle continued to threaten with Adam Randell sending his six-yard header just past the post from Callum Wright’s cross. Wright had his own chance to score as he dribbled past Lewis Gordon but Jarell Quansah made a brilliant block to deny him. The ten men managed to go in goalless in a controversial first period.

In the second half, Wright nodded a header just past the post from Finn Azaz’s cross. Wilson flashed a low cross past the post as Rovers soaked up the pressure.

Plymouth broke down Rovers’ rearguard with a spectacular effort. Ennis teed himself up for an over-head kick from Wilson’s cross that Belshaw couldn’t reach.

Rovers searched for an immediate response but Gibbons could only stretch his shot wide from

Finley’s pass. Argyle nearly scored from a counter-attack as Belshaw tipped over Wright’s 25-yard swept effort before saving Joe Edwards’ shot from the resulting setpiece.

Plymouth doubled their advantage from their ninth corner kick. Butcher’s delivery was on-point and Gillesphey was on hand to react with a header. It was a moment that Rovers’ defence were caught napping and the hosts punished them.

Rovers had half-opportunities with Ryan Loft getting a shot on target, but in essence, the team could not respond to such a task with the numerical disavantage.

Plymouth Argyle: (3-4-2-1): Callum Burton, James Wilson, Dann Scarr, Macaulay Gillesphey; Joe Edwards, Adam Randell, Matt Butcher (Jordan Houghton, 70), Bali Mumba (Sam Cosgrove, 84), Callum Wright (Jay Matete, 70), Danny Major, Niall Ennis (Ryan Hardie, 61)

Goals: Niall Ennis 51, Macaulay Gillesphey 56’

Yellow Cards: Jay Matete 80’

Bristol Rovers (4-3-1-2): James Belshaw; Luca Hoole, Jarell Quansah, Lewis Gibson, Lewis Gordon; Antony Evans, Grant Ward, Lamare Bogarde; Aaron Collins (James Gibbons, 46), Josh Coburn (Sam Finley, 33), John Marquis (Harry Anderson, 73)

Yellow Cards: Antony Evans 12, 25, Joey Barton 33, Ryan Loft 85’

Red Card: Antony Evans 25’