Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Bristol City: Robins heap more pressure on struggling Pilgrims

Plymouth Argyle’s relegation fears elevated as they failed to attain for a fifth successive dwelling sport in a 1-0 Championship loss to Bristol City.

Nahki Wells nodded in from shut vary after Michael Cooper had saved two City photographs.

Argyle’s day bought worse when Alfie Devine was despatched off for a second reserving with 12 minutes left because the pressure mounted on Plymouth head coach Ian Foster after a 10th winless sport in 11 league matches.

It leaves the Pilgrims one place and one level above the relegation zone whereas the victory strikes Bristol City as much as 12th place.

Under pressure Argyle began strongly towards a City facet that beat promotion-chasing Leicester City on Good Friday – they pressured six corners within the first 25 minutes as Bali Mumba, Morgan Whittaker and Ryan Hardie all had possibilities.

Argyle top-scorer Whittaker blasted a far-post volley over from Matthew Sorinola’s cross after half an hour, whereas Scott Twine had City’s first likelihood 5 minutes later when Michael Cooper tipped his lobbed effort over the bar.

City boss Liam Manning made three modifications to his facet at half-time as Mark Sykes, Joe Williams and Wells got here on to try to create some impetus.

The modifications appeared to work as Sykes had a penalty attraction turned away three minutes into the second interval earlier than he and Wells had been concerned within the opener.

Anis Mehmeti minimize in from the left and noticed his right-footed effort parried away by Michael Cooper, Sykes had an try saved on the follow-up however Wells was there to go dwelling his fifth objective of the season.

Whittaker pressured an excellent low save from Max O’Leary with 20 minutes to go, however it was simply the hosts’ second shot on goal all sport – an absence of objective makes an attempt has been an issue they’ve had at dwelling for a few months.

It bought worse for Argyle when Devine was despatched off for a second reserving after a foul on George Tanner, two minutes after Wells had pressured an excellent save from Cooper.

Plymouth Argyle head coach Ian Foster informed BBC Radio Devon:

“The efficiency as we speak was excellent for lengthy intervals of the sport.

“There’s nothing within the sport once they rating, the objective is disappointing from our perspective, we have got to go in entrance once we’re on prime and as dominant as we’re.

“The followers usually are not going to be going away rubbing their palms and smiling as a result of we have misplaced a sport, I’m positive they’re going to have an appreciation for the trouble and software of the gamers – they had been excellent when it comes to how they tried to play with bravery on the ball.

“You cannot fault the gamers’ perspective and software – the gamers are giving every little thing they presumably can, we have simply bought to be slightly more ruthless in sure moments of the sport.”

Bristol City head coach Liam Manning informed BBC Radio Bristol:

“It was terrific to get one other win and clear sheet. Huge credit score to the squad, while you take a look at the calls for of the sport, it takes lots out of you bodily.

“We knew Plymouth would get on the entrance foot and we did a extremely good job of weathering that first 20 minutes. They had some set-pieces however with out troubling Max and after that it was a extremely good skilled efficiency.

“We modified it [defence] from a 5 to a 4 in the course of the half, which I assumed helped when it comes to getting pressure increased up and wrestling again management of the sport.

“He’s a top pro, Nahki – I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’d probably want to play more than he has done but it was an excellent performance stepping on and delivering when required. He came on and had a real positive impact.”