Pilgrims let lead slip as Oxford fight back to win
PLYMOUTH Argyle ended 2020 on a losing note as they were beaten 3-2 by Oxford United at Home Park.
The defeat came after midfielder Panutche Camara had given the Pilgrims a 12th minute lead in the League One encounter.
Argyle were much the better side in the opening half an hour but gradually Oxford worked their way into the game.
Josh Ruffels equalised for the U’s in the 37th minute and the visitors went on to do much of the attacking in the second period.
Sam Long put them 2-1 ahead with a close range finish before Olamide Shodipo extended their lead with a penalty after he had been fouled.
Argyle top scorer Luke Jephcott did score with a spot kick in the 84th minute for his 13th goal of the season.
But, despite applying lots of late pressure, the Pilgrims could not rescue a point and were overtaken in the table by Oxford as they dropped three positions to 17th.
Argyle went into the game with the same starting line-up and substitutes as from the 2-2 Boxing Day draw at Charlton Athletic.
Early on Argyle were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out from the Oxford goal when skipper Joe Edwards was shoved over by Olamide Shodipo as he surged forward.
Left wing-back Conor Grant stepped up to take a shot but his attempt was blocked by the defensive wall.
Argyle made a purposeful start to the match and were rewarded with an opening goal in the 12th minute.
Ryan Hardie swapped passes with Grant as he ran the inside left channel and his cross was met by a wellplaced, first-time shot from Camara.
It was Camara’s second goal for Argyle since signing from Crawley Town in the summer, and was further evidence of his growing confidence.
Grant then had a low drive from outside the box safely held onto by Oxford ‘keeper Jack Stevens.
The visitors had good amounts of possession, usually with James Henry most involved, but could not create any scoring chances. That was until the 37th minute when Argyle were undone at a set piece.
Henry aimed the ball into the heart of the penalty area and a ricochet dropped to Ruffels, who bundled the ball home from close range.
It took a superb save from Argyle ‘keeper Mike Cooper to prevent Ruffels from making it 2-1 to the visitors in the 42nd minute.
Moments later, Agyei made a strong run towards the Pilgrims’ box but then blasted his shot high into the Devonport End.
Oxford had the first scoring opportunity of the second period when an attempted shot from Marcus McGuane was deflected up into the air and dropped to Henry.
The Oxford midfielder was unmarked and had time to pick his spot but, instead, smashed the ball high over the bar.
That was a real let-off for Argyle, who had defender Niall Canavan to thank when he blocked another Henry shot soon afterwards.
The Pilgrims were having to try and play on the counter attack as the away side pushed forward in search of a second goal.
Argyle had to deal with a series of crosses, free-kicks and long throwins from Sam Long as they came under some sustained pressure.
Oxford went close to taking the lead in the 68th minute following a corner from substitute Anthony Forde.
Defender Rob Atkinson rose high to get in a header which was cleared off the line by Edwards as Cooper could not get a touch on the ball.
Byron Moore and Frank Nouble were sent on as substitutes by Argyle manager Ryan Lowe, with the duo of Grant and Hardie making way for them. Despite those changes it was Oxford who got the next goal of the game after a well-worked attack in the 74th minute.
Long played the ball outside to the overlapping Sean Clare but continued his run into the penalty area.
When Clare put in a low cross Long was able to poke the ball past Cooper and into the net to give Oxford a 2-1 lead.
They went further ahead in the 82nd minute with a penalty from Shodipo after he had been fouled by Argyle defender Will Aimson.
Shodipo sent Cooper the wrong way with the spot kick and the game seemed to be over.
Argyle had other ideas, though, and they were awarded a penalty of their own in the 84th minute after a challenge on Moore from Long.
Jephcott scored his 13th goal of the season, but the first with a spot kick, to set up a tense finale but time ran out on them as they tried to draw level.