Match Report Plymouth Argyle 21 Derby County
Derby County fell to a 2-1 defeat at automatic promotion chasing Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday evening.
The Rams went in front in the first-half through Nathaniel Mendez-Laing but second-half strikes from Callum Wright and Ryan Hardie saw the Pilgrims complete the turnaround.
The atmosphere inside Home Park was electric and the pace on the pitch matched it in the opening stages with both sides looking for a quick start.
It was the Rams that arguably started the better but it was the home side that had the first real chance to take the lead through Finn Azaz. The man on loan from Aston Villa got a yard on his man and had a well struck effort go just wide of Joe Wildsmith's goal from the edge of the box.
Paul Warne's men instantly regained control and took a well deserved lead just minutes later through Mendez-Laing. David McGoldrick hooked a ball forward on half-way and the winger was able to beat the offside trap before rounding the keeper and slotting home to put the Rams 1-0 in front.
Argyle were visibly shaken in the opening stages and though they finally managed to get a foothold in the game as the half progressed, they were unable to create anything clear-cut prior to the break and Warne's men looked comfortable.
The home side came out lively at the restart but it was the Rams that could have doubled their advantage in the early stages through Tom Barkhuizen. Mendez-Laing did well down the right and stood up a lovely cross for his fellow winger who headed towards goal but Callum Burton held well down to his right.
Argyle were back on level terms right on the hour mark through substitute Callum Wright.
Jay Matete was allowed too much space in the middle of the park to run at the defence. He found Azaz who eventually played in Wright and he worked his way into the box and fired past Wildsmith with the help of an unfortunate deflection off of Eiran Cashin.
10 minutes later and the home side were handed a golden opportunity to turn things around from the spot. Harvey White was adjudged to have fouled his man in the area and the referee instantly pointed to the spot despite the protests of those in burgundy.
Hardie stepped up and sent Wildsmith the wrong way to put Argyle in front with just 20 minutes remaining.
The Pilgrims' number nine bent an effort just wide of the post as the home side looked to catch Derby on the break and add a third.
Argyle managed the game well in the final stages and were able to see the result out in an incredibly professional manner, to the frustration of all of those in the burgundy and black.
The result leaves the Rams sixth in Sky Bet League One on 61 points.
Plymouth Argyle: Burton (GK), Gillesphey, Houghton (57' Matete), Wilson (45' Bolton), Butcher, Edwards (C) (57' Wright), Hardie, Mayor (78' Miller), Mumba, Azaz (86' Ennis), Lonwijk
Substitutes not used: Ennis, Waine, Parkes
Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Forsyth (C), Hourihane (75' Sibley), Cashin, Barkhuizen (60' Dobbin), McGoldrick, Mendez-Laing, Smith, Roberts (75' Springett), White (75' Collins), Knight
Substitutes not used: McGee (GK), Thompson, Davies
The Rams are back on the road this coming Saturday when they travel to Oxford United in Sky Bet League One action (3pm kick-off).
