Late strike from Okenabirhie not enough for an even share
FEJIRI OKENABIRHIE’S second- half goal proved in vain as Doncaster slipped to a frustrating defeat on the road.
Goals from Luke Jephcott and Joe Edwards condemned Darren Moore’s misfiring side to a second defeat in a row.
Okenabirhie gave Rovers hope when he pulled a goal back with 17 minutes left, but the hosts held on at Home Park.
Jephcott had a good early chance for the home side but he blasted straight at goalkeeper Josef Bursik while, at the other end, Jon Taylor went close. Despite their early pressure, Rovers found themselves behind 11 minutes before the break when Jephcott was given too much time to rifle into the left corner.
Soon after, Taylor crossed for James Coppinger, but the longserving midfielder saw his shot charged down.
Rovers nearly had the perfect start following the resumption but defender Joe Wright somehow headed wide at the back post.
Taylor also had a shot blocked as the visitors hoped to level matters quickly, although Ryan Hardie lashed just wide as the hosts went close to doubling their lead.
It was the hosts, though, who scored a second when Edwards fired into the bottom right corner with a sweet strike to leave Rovers with it all to do.
Ben Whiteman had a shot saved as Rovers nearly responded immediately, but then Okenabirhie gave the visitors hopes with a smart finish in the dying stages.
Plymouth Argyle: Cooper, Aimson, Opoku, Watts, Edwards, Camara, Fornah, Major, Moore, Jephcott ( Nouble 69), Hardie ( Abraham 87). Unused substitutes: Telford, Reeves, Grant, Ruddy, Law.
Doncaster Rovers: Bursik, Halliday ( Amos 79), Wright, Anderson, John, Whiteman, Smith ( Sims 62), Taylor, Coppinger ( Williams 79), James, Okenabirhie. Unused substitutes: Lokilo, Jones, Butler, Hasani.
Referee: Alan Young