WINS, not draws, are what Argyle need if they want to escape relegation from the Championship.

They have drawn four of their last six matches, all by 1-1 scorelines, and lost the other two games.

So, on the face of it, there is not much cause for optimism the Pilgrims can somehow stay up.

However, there were positives to take out of the draw against Coventry, most notably that the 'real' Argyle turned up.

They had put in an uncharacteristic lacklustre performance when they lost 2-0 at Queens Park Rangers last Tuesday.

That prompted some supporters to wonder whether the Pilgrims were ready to throw the towel in, as relegation ever looms larger.

The answer, based on the much-improved display at the Ricoh Arena, is no, they are not.

It was not a match of tremendous quality, it must be said, but Argyle could not be faulted for lack of commitment and desire.

And that has been their trademark since head coach Paul Mariner took over control of first team affairs in December.

A 1-1 draw was probably the right result, on the balance of play, but it did not suit either side.

Argyle, as already stated, need to start winning games to give themselves a chance of staying up.

And Coventry are pushing hard to force themselves into play-off contention.

That explains why the two teams went flat-out in the closing stages on Saturday in search of a decisive goal.

There was an exciting end-to-end finale to the contest, which had both sets of supporters enthralled.

Other positives for Mariner, to take out of the match included the contribution of winger Yannick Bolasie on his full debut.

His electric burst of pace made him a constant attacking threat to Coventry.

But, perhaps more importantly for his prospects of holding down a regular place in the starting line-up, he showed Mariner he can carry out his defensive duties too.

There was also a better display from centre-back Kari Arnason.

His form had dipped recently, but he was much more purposeful in his defending against Coventry, and scored a fine goal too.

The introduction of Bolasie was one of three changes to the team from the defeat against QPR.

Striker Bradley Wright-Phillips also made his first start for Argyle, after an injury-plagued season at Home Park.

And midfielder Chris Clark returned to the side after thigh and hamstring injuries ruled him out against QPR.

Rory Fallon, Alan Judge and Gary Sawyer all dropped down to the substitutes' bench.

Wright-Phillips did not excel in the 74 minutes he played before making way for Joe Mason.

But as this was his first start of the season, it would not be fair to rush into judgement about him.

Wright-Phillips will need a run of matches before he reaches full match fitness.

With Bolasie, Wright-Phillips and Jamie Mackie all in the starting line-up, there was a lot more pace – and menace – in the side.

And the Coventry defence, which had conceded only one goal in their previous three games, was stretched at times.

The Sky Blues were coming off a sequence of five wins in six matches, but it was the Pilgrims who were the better side in the first half.

Mackie had three decent early opportunities for Argyle as they made a lively start.

He dragged one shot well wide and then miscued with the goal at his mercy, before forcing a fine save out of Keiren Westwood in the 20th minute.

Mackie's powerful blast, from a tight angle, was superbly pushed over the bar, one-handed, by the Coventry 'keeper.

Coventry showed some improvement as midfielder Michael McIndoe sent a stooping header wide in the 28th minute.

Striker Clinton Morrison then spun and shot over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

But Argyle were rewarded for their positive approach when they took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Mackie, not for the first time in the match, was fouled by City right-back Stephen Wright and the visitors were awarded a free-kick.

Midfielder Damien Johnson curled the ball into the penalty area and Arnason beat the onrushing Westwood to the ball to head into an empty net.

It was the first time in nine games that Argyle had scored the opening goal.

Mariner must have expected Coventry to start the second period strongly, after their poor showing before the break.

But he would have been hoping his side could have stayed strong in defence.

However, Coventry drew level in the 49th minute after an attack which stemmed from a long punt forward by Westwood.

Striker Jonathan Stead worked the ball outside to Carl Baker, whose right-wing cross eluded any Argyle defender and reached McIndoe beyond the far post.

From a narrow angle, McIndoe fired the ball between the legs of Argyle 'keeper David Stockdale and into the net.

Stockdale saved a firm shot from Stead, before Argyle's Richard Eckersley, who had been very solid at left-back, limped out of the game with a groin injury.

Pilgrims' skipper Carl Fletcher saw a goalbound shot blocked by Coventry's Sammy Clingan as both sides chased a second goal.

At the other end of the pitch, Stead fired the ball across the face of goal, and just out of the reach of McIndoe and Morrison.

Clark and Bolasie both sent long-range shots over the bar as Argyle chased victory in the closing stages.

Then, in the second minute of stoppage time, fate conspired against the Pilgrims.

Bolasie showed tremendous technique as he let fly with a sweetly-struck volley, but the ball hit Mackie, who was inside the six-yard area, rather than the back of the net.

The danger was not over for Coventry, though, as Johnson had two follow-up shots charged down.

Argyle had been so close to grabbing a second goal. But they almost conceded from Coventry's next attack.

Substitute Freddy Eastwood saw his close range header flicked over by Stockdale.

And, in a pulsating conclusion to the match, Marcus Hall shot too high from 25 yards following the resulting corner. Argyle's position remains precarious, but there is still plenty of fight there.