Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Scunthorpe United
Report from Home Park

Click here for a detailed minute by minute analysis of the game

United were beaten 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle in the Coca-Cola Championship on Saturday.

It was a lively encounter at Home Park and, although the Iron had the better of the first half, Argyle went ahead at the start of the second period through Rory Fallon.

Scunthorpe struck back through Gary Hooper's penalty but Alan Judge scored the winning penalty for Argyle with 13 minutes left in the final game before a fortnight-long international break.

The Iron made five changes heading into the match - goalkeeper Joe Murphy missed out with a dead leg so Josh Lillis deputised.

There were two alterations in defence as well, as Andrew Wright came in for Jordan Spence, who was a substitute.

Ian Morris replaced Marcus Williams, who had picked up a knock at Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, Matt Sparrow came in for Michael O'Connor, who was also on the bench, with Gary Hooper replacing Jonathan Forte in the side.

Lillis started in goal, with Andrew Wright, Cliff Byrne, Rob Jones and Morris forming the defence.

The midfield consisted of Sparrow, Josh Wright, Sam Togwell and Grant McCann, while Paul Hayes partnered Gary Hooper up front.

The substitutes were Garry Thompson, Martyn Woolford, O'Connor, Spence, Sam Slocombe, Niall Canavan and Adam Boyes.

It was Scunthorpe who got off to the best start, as Hayes fizzed the ball across goal but McCann couldn't quite reach it.

The pressure continued as Byrne's header from McCann's free-kick five minutes in was cleared off the goal-line. Jones tried to reach the rebound but it was well cleared by Argyle.

The hosts had their moments going forward in the opening stages but the visitors held firm.

Indeed, it was United again who had the next chance as Andrew Wright played the ball to Hayes, who moved into space before firing in a shot from the right-hand side of the area which Romain Larrieu stopped well.

Hooper had a penalty shout denied shortly afterwards following a one-two with Hayes, while Togwell blazed a great chance over the crossbar on the turn from six yards.

Plymouth had a decent chance shortly after as Gary Sawyer's drive flew over the crossbar after he had found room to manouvre.

Scunthorpe kept pushing for the opener and Andrew Wright's cross just cleared Larrieu's crossbar in the 38th minute.

Hooper had a superb chance three minutes later as Hayes looped the ball through to him and he controlled well before volleying in an effort which drew a great stop from Larrieu.

On the stroke of half-time Lillis was drawn into a sublime save from Fallon's looping header, he leapt back to tip it over the crossbar.

The Iron's first chance of the second period came in the 54th minute when Morris curled a right-footed effort just wide of Larrieu's bottom right-hand post.

Nevertheless, Argyle took the lead in the 57th minute as Fallon climbed high to sink a header past Lillis from 12 yards after Sawyer's cross from the left.

Soon after, Sawyer had a powerful effort deflected wide for a corner as the hosts searched for a second.

Scunthorpe made a quick double change as Woolford and Thompson replaced McCann and Sparrow to add a bit of natural width to the Iron midfield. They were going to attack to try and find the leveller.

It was Thompson who almost produced the leveller, as he cut inside from the right, dribbled past his man and dragged wide of goal with his less favoured left foot.

United were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute when Woolford was felled on the left-hand side, just inside the penalty area by Larrieu, as the Frenchman tried to retrieve a loose ball.

Hooper stepped up and slotted home the spot-kick to the right of Larrieu, who dived the wrong way. It was the top scorer's sixth goal of the season.

Just moments later from the next attack though Argyle were awarded a penalty themselves. Judge charged into the right-hand side of the 18-yard box and was brought down by Lillis.

The fouled player then stepped up to rifle his penalty beyond the Iron custodian.

Scunthorpe tried to find a second equaliser but Togwell's shot from distance cleared the crossbar on 82 minutes.

Woolford then blazed over soon after before the final change was made, as O'Connor came on for Jones, who limped off.

The away pressure continued as four minutes of added time were given but Plymouth held firm to record a vital home win for under-pressure boss Paul Sturrock.

They may have flown down, but the Iron were travelling back to North Lincolnshire from the South West on the team coach and defeat would certainly make that return trip seem longer.

Owing to the two-week international break, Scunthorpe aren't in action for two weeks now - until they host Sheffield United at Glanford Park on Saturday, October 17 (12noon kick-off).

Attendance: 9,780 (186 away).