Argyle clinch victory after remarkable comeback

MORECAMBE 2 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 3

TWO LATE penalties from striker Warren Feeney saw Argyle complete a remarkable comeback and clinch victory at the Globe Arena this afternoon, writes Chris Errington.

Morecambe led 2-0 going into the final 20 minutes of the League Two game after goals from striker Jack Redshaw and substitute Richard Brodie.

But debutant midfielder Ross Jenkins reduced the deficit for Argyle with a superb strike in the 72nd minute.

Feeney then twice slotted home from the spot in the 80th and 87th minutes as the Pilgrims secured their second league win of the season.

It was a deserved victory as well with Argyle being rewarded for playing some enterprising, passing football.

Jenkins was included in the starting line-up after completing a one-month loan move from Championship club Watford yesterday.

He slotted into the centre of midfield with another 21-year-old, Conor Hourihane, which meant Luke Young was on the substitutes' bench.

There were also recalls for Feeney and Argentine winger Andres Gurrieri.

Dropping out of the side were Matt Lecointe, who was one of the substitutes, and Onismor Bhasera, the Zimbabwe international.

Bhasera travelled to Morecambe with the Pilgrims' squad but was ruled out by injury.

Argyle were also without winger Johnny Gorman, whose loan spell from Championship club Wolves has been cut short.

The 19-year-old Northern Ireland international was supposed to be with the Pilgrims until January.

But he has returned to Wolves after making one start and one substitute appearance in League Two for Argyle.

It took Morecambe only three minutes to open the scoring, and came after a defensive error from Darren Purse.

The Argyle captain and centre-back tried to let the ball run out of play deep inside Pilgrims' territory but was dispossessed by Redshaw.

The Morecambe striker could have tried a cut-back to Jordan Burrow, but went for goal and fired past 'keeper Jake Cole from a tight angle.

Despite that early setback, Argyle went on to have long periods of possession during the rest of the first half.

Jenkins slotted in seamlessly as the Pilgrims passed the ball around with confidence in midfield.

However, they could not find a cutting edge to their build-up play and it remained 0-0 until the interval.

Hourihane had one close range shot kicked away by Morecambe 'keeper Barry Roche in the 16th minute.

Argyle loan signing Alex MacDonald had a couple of scoring opportunities after that.

First, he crashed a rising 20-yard drive over the crossbar, before a curling 30-yard free-kick was saved by Roche.

Purse was booked shortly before half-time for a foul on Redshaw.

The Morecambe striker hobbled off the pitch after receiving treatment and did not reappear for the second half as he was replaced by Brodie.

Argyle had an early chance as left-back Robbie Williams saw his free-kick pushed away by Roche for a corner.

It was taken by Hourihane and Purse soared above the Shrimps' defence to meet the ball.

His header was on target, but it was cleared off the line by midfielder Kevin Ellison, and that proved to be a decisive moment in the match.

Morecambe extended their lead in the 51st minute with a penalty from Brodie.

The half-time substitute was sent tumbling inside the 18-yard box by right-back Durrell Berry and Brodie picked himself up and despatched the spot kick.

Argyle had been so close to drawing level moments earlier, but were now trailing 2-0.

Cole saved from midfielder Izak Reid at his near post and then kept out a header from Nick Fenton from the resulting corner as Morecambe pressed for a third goal.

But Argyle reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute with a stunning strike from Jenkins.

A deep cross from Feeney was touched inside by substitute Paris Cowan-Hall to the Watford loanee.

Jenkins showed superb technique to volley the ball past Roche, high into the top left corner of the net.

Argyle then equalised in the 80th minute with a penalty from Feeney after Reid handled a cross from Berry inside the 18-yard box.

And the Pilgrims completed a remarkable comeback when they took the lead in the 87th minute.

Cowan-Hall was fouled by defender Andy Parrish as he burst into the penalty area and referee Tony Harrington pointed to the spot again.

Feeney stepped up and slotted the ball past Roche for his third goal of the season.

Six minutes of stoppage time were added on but Argyle retained their 3-2 until the final whistle.

MORECAMBE: Barry Roche; Andy Parrish, Nick Fenton, Will Haining, Robbie Threlfall; Izak Reid (Stewart Drummond 84 mins), Andy Wright, Gary McDonald, Kevin Ellison; Jack Redshaw (Richard Brodie h/t), Jordan Burrow (Lewis Alessandra 84 mins).

Substitutes (not used): Andy Fleming, Joe Mwasile, Chris Doyle, Andreas Arestidou (gk).

ARGYLE: Jake Cole; Durrell Berry, Darren Purse, Maxime Blanchard, Robbie Williams; Alex MacDonald, Ross Jenkins, Conor Hourihane, Andres Gurrieri (Paris Cowan-Hall 62 mins); Warren Feeney; Guy Madjo.

Substitutes (not used): Luke Young, Ollie Chenoweth (gk), Curtis Nelson, Joe Lennox, Matt Lecointe, Jamie Richards.

REFEREE: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)

ATTENDANCE: 1,865 (358 away)

GOALS – Morecambe: Redshaw 3 mins, Brodie (pen) 51 mins: Argyle: Jenkins 72 mins, Feeney (2 pens) 80, 87 mins