Lameiras leaves it late for Pilgrims

RUBEN Lameiras scored a stoppagetime winner as League One Plymouth Argyle knocked League Two Stevenage out at rainswept Home Park.

Seny Dieng did well to save Graham Carey’s initial goal-bound strike but could do nothing as Lameiras let fly from the edge of the box to send the ball, low into the opposite corner of the goal.

Argyle playmaker Carey came close to breaking the deadlock three times in the first half.

The Irishman sent a shot just wide in the opening minutes, went even closer with a freekick and then drew a superb low save from Dieng as half-time approached.

Argyle boss Derek Adams was forced to change his line-up in the 55th minute as midfielder Jamie Ness went off injured.

Portugese attacker Lameiras was introduced, and soon set up Carey with another shooting opportunity.

Joel Grant then cut in from the left to test Dieng before ameiras twice went close.

He sent a volley just wide of goal and then sent a soaring shot just over as Plymouth pressed for an opener.

Adams said: “I’m delighted to be through to the next round. Over the 90 minutes, given the performance, we deserve to be in the next round.

“The chances we created were very good. We probably should have been ahead in the first half.

“In the end we have to use Ruben off the bench to get us that victory.

“Ruben can finish. He is one of those who can start or come off the bench and make an impact. He’s an important player for us because he can change direction very quickly, and he can open up defences and he can score goals.”

Stevenage boss Dino Maamria said an injury to Steve Seddon, who was forced to come off, disrupted his side. He added: “To be fair to Plymouth, they’ve got very good front players, plus Lameiras, who came off the bench. They’ve got a good threat there and they are very good going forward.

“We limited them today but they scored a fantastic goal and sometimes there’s not much you can do about it.

“I just thought when Steve Seddon came off we defended a little bit deeper, which invited Plymouth on to us.”