Defeat leaves Argyle with a tense season finale

Plymouth Argyle 0 Rotherham United 1

League Two, Saturday 20 April 2013

After so much recent good work and excellent results had boosted Argyle's confidence of staying in League Two, an undeserved defeat has thrown their Football League survival into jeopardy once more.

Rotherham stole all 3 points with a 75 minute winner from Kieran Agard against the run of play and have tightened their grip on an automatic promotion place. Despite the Pilgrims best efforts and some desperate attempts to equalise, they had to accept defeat at the full time whistle and will need once last brave effort away at Rochdale next weekend.

Plymouth were the better side for much of the game, thwarting flurries of threat from the visitors, but they could not find the breakthrough. Then game the blow of Agard's headed goal from a free kick.

Other results have not been kind, though at least bottom placed Aldershot (who won) cannot catch Plymouth, leaving John Sheridan's side five other teams to do battle with for survival next weekend. Torquay, Barnet and York all won, as did Accrington Stanley who are now safe. Plymouth lie 19th, two points clear of the relegation zone.

Plymouth could lose at Rochdale next week and still survive the drop but they will not want to chance it. A draw would be enough given AFC Wimbledon's far inferior goal difference. Rochdale sit mid-table with little to play for except a good finish to the season and they lost at Oxford today.

So an anxious finale is ensured and Argyle will need to muster all of their recent heroic fighting strength to provide a celebratory end to a hard and fascinating season.

The club today announced Zimbabwean left back Onismor Bhasera, known as Baz, as their player of the season with the young player award going to midfielder Conor Hourihane.

For a full match report, visit the Plymouth Argyle website.