Southampton’s fourth straight Championship defeat leaves Poortvliet’s side sitting scarcely one point above the drop zone.
Both sides started brightly in Devon, having their fair share of corners in the opening minutes. Rory Fallon was causing problems against the Saints young back four and it was only down to Kelvin Davis that the Saints didn’t concede early once again.
The Saints haven’t kept a clean sheet since November and the leaky defence was again cut open in the 38th minute when Rory Fallon headed home from Craig Noone’s pass.
The Saints went in 1-0 down at half time and the Saints faithful down at Home Park would be expecting a better performance from their side.
The second half began with the Saints failing to create much in the Argyle half. Any chance of a Saints revival was put to bed when centre back Oliver Lancashire was judged to have handled Fallon’s shot. Referee Roger East gifted Argyle the chance to double their lead, and on 52 minutes Argyle were winning 2-0 thanks to Luke Summerfield’s conversion.
Argyle continued to press – looking for the third and they came close when their star player Craig Noone hit the post.
The Saints find themselves in serious trouble, having once again conceded two goals and failing to score in the last two matches. Their inability to defend crosses and create chances will make tomorrow’s game hard.
Poortvliet’s youngsters face Steve Coppell’s Royal’s at St. Mary’s with the Royal’s sitting in 2nd place and are looking to keep the heat on leaders Wolves.
Plymouth Team:
Larrieu, McNamee, Cathcart, Seip, Barker, Clark, Summerfield, Duguid, Noone (Mackie 66), Gallagher (MacLean 71), Fallon.
Subs Not Used: Timar, Puncheon, Folly.
Saints Team:
Davis, James, Cork, Lancashire, Skacel, Gillett (Paterson 58), Gobern, Surman, Smith (Pearce 87), Holmes (McLaggon 58), McGoldrick.
Subs Not Used: Forecast, Mills.