THERE was much for Argyle head coach Paul Mariner to take satisfaction from on Saturday.

The Pilgrims pushed promotion-chasing West Brom all the way in an absorbing encounter at Home Park.

The outcome was in doubt until the end, and the determination shown by the home side against talented opposition was commendable.

But the bottom line is that Argyle suffered another defeat and are a step closer to being relegated to League One.

They are now six points adrift of safety, and when you have only won seven times all season that has to be a concern.

There is no doubt that Mariner and John Carver, his assistant, have had a positive impact on the Argyle squad since they took over in December.

There seems to be a good team spirit and the players are showing total commitment to the cause.

But, for all their considerable endeavours, the Pilgrims have a glaring weakness.

They are the lowest scorers in the Championship this season with 23 goals in 27 games.

Take out the 4-1 home rout of Reading on December 28, and they have netted only three times in their last 11 fixtures.

Mariner must be hoping new loan signing Kenny Cooper, the United States international striker, can provide a solution to that problem.

Cooper made his debut for the Pilgrims as a second-half substitute against West Brom.

It was his first match since recovering from a knee injury in November.

The 25-year-old from German Bundesliga 2 club 1860 Munich will need a little time to adapt to the rough and tumble of the Championship.

But Argyle really need him to find his feet at Home Park – and fast.

Otherwise, it is hard to see where the goals are going to come from to keep them up.

They dominated their last away game, against Sheffield Wednesday, and lost 2-1.

Their performance against a classy West Brom side also merited some reward, but their lack of punch in attack was all too apparent.

The workrate of the players, especially in midfield, was admirable.

Carl Fletcher and Damien Johnson, Argyle's other new recruit, provided some steel in the centre of the pitch.

And, on the flanks, Chris Clark and Alan Judge played with typical energy.

But, despite that, West Brom's ability to launch swift counter-attacks from deep inside their own half, was always a threat.

And that proved to be the difference between the sides when, from one such move, striker Simon Cox scored the only of the game in the 66th minute.

Johnson took over from Luke Summerfield in the only change to Argyle's starting line-up from the defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.

West Brom have averaged more than two goals a game this season, and they soon showed their attacking intent.

There were only 21 seconds on the clock when midfielder Chris Brunt fired a shot into the side netting.

Argyle had an early chance of their own, which fell to Judge in the sixth minute.

A long throw-in from defender Kari Arnason was flicked on by Rory Fallon to strike partner Jamie Mackie.

He rolled the ball outside to Judge who, on a better pitch than the one at Home Park, would probably have shot first time.

However, the on-loan Blackburn Rovers midfielder chose to take a touch as the ball bobbled across to him.

When he did get his shot away, it was blocked by West Brom's Romanian defender Gabriel Tamas.

Both teams were playing positive football, despite the difficult pitch conditions.

Tamas headed wide at the near post for West Brom after a corner from midfielder Graham Dorrans was flicked on by striker Roman Bednar.

Judge then went close with a 25-yard free-kick, after Mackie had been fouled in a central position by Albion's Youssouf Mulumbu.

West Brom almost took the lead in the 34th minute after Bednar broke away from Arnason.

The Czech Republic-born striker had scored five goals in as many games and must have thought he was about to add to his tally.

But his powerful, angled shot was superbly saved by Argyle's on-loan Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Bednar then almost got on the end of an inviting cross from the skilful Dorrans, with Stockdale catching the ball instead.

Argyle's best chance of taking the lead came four minutes into the second half.

Another long throw-in from Arnason was flicked on by Fallon and Mackie sent a snapshot over the bar from eight yards out.

It was not an easy chance, but it was one that Argyle really needed to go in.

Cooper replaced Fallon almost on the hour mark, and curled a free-kick over the bar in the 62nd minute with one of his first touches.

West Brom then broke the deadlock four minutes later after a flowing move.

Dorrans superbly changed the point of attack with a pass to Jerome Thomas, who was on the left flank.

He checked back and crossed deep into the penalty area, over the head of Pilgrims' centre-back Reda Johnson.

Bednar reacted first, before Argyle left-back Gary Sawyer, could intervene and he nudged the ball inside to Cox.

The striker was only eight yards out and he confidently volleyed past Stockdale.

Arnason had a header easily saved by West Brom's Scott Carson before the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute.

Brunt's powerful, swerving shot was beaten out by Stockdale, as far as Argyle substitute David McNamee.

He miscontrolled the ball and in trying to retrieve the situation he fouled West Brom's Luke Moore in the process.

However, Dorrans' spot kick was saved by Stockdale, renewing hope Argyle could yet earn themselves a point.

Five minutes of stoppage time were added on by referee Steve Tanner, and in the first one West Brom had Thomas sent-off.

He was dismissed for a lunging tackle on McNamee, which sparked a melee between players and staff from both sides.

Damien Johnson sent a shot over the bar as Argyle strove for an equaliser, but without success.

And they were fortunate to finish with 11 players on the pitch when Arnason was only booked, and not sent-off, after a needless late tackle on Moore.