Plymouth floored by Jake’s late show
PLYMOUTH’S survival fight will go down to the last day of the season after defeat at the Den.
The Devon side had battled hard against an in-form Millwall, and looked to be heading for a precious point – until Jake Cooper headed home his second goal in three games just seven minutes from time.
It gave Millwall their fourth straight win, but left Argyle just a point above the drop zone and needing a win from their final game of the season at home to Hull on Saturday to guarantee survival.
Coach Kevin Nancekivell, in joint charge after the axing of Ian Foster at the beginning of the month, said: “It’s a hammer blow, because we didn’t think we deserved that.
“The players are on the floor because they realise the severity of the situation.
“But it is still in our hands and we can control our destiny. Saturday will be a mammoth game, but we will be ready.”
The Lions almost struck after only three minutes, when Ryan Longman’s cross was tipped on to the bar by Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper. But it was Plymouth who created the best chances, Mustapha Bundu jinking his way through only to see his shot blocked by Matija Sarkic.
Argyle defended stubbornly, and Cooper saved with superbly with his legs after Tom Bradshaw flicked on Casper De Norre’s cross.
Finally, Millwall found a way through, as Cooper looped his header into the far corner.
Lions boss Neil Harris said: “I asked the players if they could perform when there was nothing to play for, and they did that.”
MILLWALL: Sarkic 6; Leonard 7, Cooper 8, Tanganga 7, Mcnamara 6; Watmore 6 (Esse (67) 6), Saville 6, De Norre 7 (Mitchell (84) 6), Longman 7 (Hutchinson (89) 6); Bradshaw 6 (Nisbet (67) 6), Flemming 6 (Honeyman (84) 6) PLYMOUTH: Cooper 7; Phillips 6 (Pleguezuelo (80) 6), Scarr 7, Galloway 7 (Sorinola (87) 6); Edwards 6 (Devine (86) 6), Randell 6, Gibson 6, Mumba 6; Whittaker 6, Bundu 7 (Wright (86) 6); Waine 6 (Hardie (69) 6) STAR MAN: Jake Cooper – Centre-back scored second goal in last three games. REF: Andy Davies 7