ARGYLE are showing signs they could pull clear of relegation, but are certainly not making it easy for themselves.

They earned another point with a 1-1 draw against play-off chasing Leicester City at Home Park on Saturday.

But, for the fifth successive match, they conceded the first goal of the game.

With Argyle being the lowest scorers in the Championship, they cannot afford to continue giving opposing sides a head-start and expect to stay up.

That is something they must improve on over the final 15 fixtures of the season.

The sequence of five matches started with the 1-0 home defeat by promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion in February 6.

The Pilgrims then lost 2-1 away to Reading, despite drawing level at 1-1.

Argyle also conceded the first goal in their game against Barnsley at Oakwell on February 13, but ended up winning 3-1.

They then came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Swansea City last Tuesday.

There is no doubt whatsoever that head coach Paul Mariner, aided by assistant John Carver, has forged a strong team spirit among the players.

The fighting qualities they have shown over recent matches have been admirable.

Despite their lowly league position, there has been no indication the players do not believe they can escape relegation.

But, and it is a big but, they are going to need to start winning some more matches, and soon.

And that is not going to be easy, with five of their next seven games being away from Home Park.

That starts with a trip to play-off chasing Sheffield United this Saturday.

One cause for optimism, however, is the central midfield pairing of Carl Fletcher and Damien Johnson.

Johnson had another fine game against Leicester, covering a tremendous amount of ground on the stamina-sapping, badly cut-up Home Park pitch.

He joined from Birmingham City on transfer deadline day and already, after only five appearances, must rank as a very shrewd signing.

And he seems to have brought the best out of Fletcher, whose leadership qualities have also been shining through.

With Fletcher and Johnson performing so well, it has given Argyle a solid platform to build from.

Mariner will also take encouragement from the dazzling display of winger Craig Noone on Saturday.

The 22-year-old signed for Argyle from non-league Southport in August 2008 and has played 38 times for the first team.

But he was making only his fifth start for the Pilgrims against Leicester – and it was easily his best.

Mariner, and former boss Paul Sturrock before him, have never doubted the attacking ability of Noone.

But they have both questioned whether he was up to the defensive duties expected of him.

Noone must have put those worries to rest on Saturday, combining his tricky wing play with some timely defensive interceptions.

Argyle staged their second annual Armed Services Day against Leicester, and several members of the military's top brass were in attendance.

They must have been impressed with the way the Pilgrims dealt with adversity and battled back to earn their point.

It turned out to be an exciting contest, but it took both sides time to get into their stride.

The first clearcut chance came in the 30th minute, when Noone picked out Argyle striker Rory Fallon with a low cross into the six-yard area.

Fallon seemed certain to score, but his close range shot was blocked by Leicester defender Bruno Berner.

Almost immediately, the Foxes launched a counter attack, which ended with Lloyd Dyer shooting against the right post.

That was a let-off for Argyle, but Leicester were soon celebrating taking the lead.

Defender Jack Hobbs lobbed the ball forward for striker Martyn Waghorn to chase after.

But Argyle's Kari Arnason was always the favourite to get there first, which the centre-back did.

Goalkeeper David Stockdale had moved out from between his posts, in anticipation of a back pass from Arnason.

But Arnason did not realise that and, without checking, he sent the ball towards goal and into the empty net.

Argyle, though, were on level terms only seven minutes later, which must have been a relief to Arnason and Stockdale in particular.

Noone picked up possession in a central position and passed the ball out to striker Jamie Mackie.

He then played it back to midfielder Chris Clark, whose pinpoint cross into the six-yard area was powerfully headed home by Noone.

It was a finish Mariner, the former England international striker, would have been proud of.

Leicester started the second half strongly and could easily have restored their lead.

Skipper Matt Oakley, former Argyle loanee Paul Gallagher and Waghorn all had chances to put the Foxes 2-1 up.

But Argyle showed an improvement after 18-year-old Joe Mason was sent on as a substitute for Fallon in the 61st minute.

With one of his first touches, Mason headed into the side netting from close range after Arnason's long throw-in had been flicked on by Reda Johnson.

Leicester should have taken the lead in the 74th minute but Gallagher's cross was headed wide by Berner from only a couple of yards out.

Striker Kenny Cooper replaced Clark, who was struggling with a tight hamstring, soon afterwards.

Cooper and Mackie were paired in attack, with Mason moving to the right-side of midfield, and the stage was set for a thrilling finale.

First, Noone saw his 20-yard free-kick parried away by Leicester 'keeper Chris Weale, with Arnason unable to tuck away the rebound from a tight angle.

Mason then crashed a dipping shot against the crossbar, while Cooper had a header clawed away by Weale.

The ball broke to Fletcher, whose fierce follow-up shot was headed off the line by Hobbs.

Damien Johnson then fired over the bar after a low cross from Noone as the home side finished strongly and piled on the pressure.

There was one final chance for Argyle to grab a second goal, deep into stoppage time.

Cooper's clever backheel found Damien Johnson, who played the ball to the near post, but Mackie miscued his shot and the final whistle was blown seconds later.