Jephcott’s early penalty isn’t enough for Argyle
PLYMOUTH Argyle could not build on taking an early lead as they ended up drawing 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra at Home Park.
Top scorer Luke Jephcott put them ahead from the penalty spot in the 11th minute of the League One encounter with his 15th goal of the season.
The Pilgrims had some good chances to extend their lead over the rest of the first half but could not convert them.
Crewe were much improved after the break and drew level in the 64th minute with a well-placed low shot from midfielder Oli Finney.
Argyle still had chances, though, and visiting goalkeeper David Richards made one outstanding save to prevent Panutche Camara from restoring their lead.
The Pilgrims’ midfielder was then sent-off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence as he illegally halted a Crewe attack.
In the end, it was a game which could easily have been won by either side but they both had to settle for a point apiece.
Argyle’s new loan signing from Liverpool, Adam Lewis, was named among the substitutes after arriving at the club on Thursday.
That meant Conor Grant continued at left wing-back in the absence of the injured George Cooper, with Tyrese Fornah in the midfield holding role.
Midfielder Lewis Macleod was also missing for a second consecutive match due to injury.
Crewe’s starting line-up showed only one change from when they beat Argyle 2-1 at the Alexandra Stadium on December 15.
That was in midfield where Luke Murphy played instead of Tom Lowery, who was on the bench.
Argyle striker Ryan Hardie tested Crewe ‘keeper Richards with a shot inside the opening 30 seconds, which was safely dealt with.
There was an even start to the match, but the Pilgrims were able to open the scoring in the 11th minute.
Grant made a driving run into the Crewe penalty area and went to the ground as there was contact between him and right-back Luke Offord.
Referee Charles Breakspear immediately awarded a spot kick, despite protestations from the visitors that Grant had dived, and it was taken by Jephcott.
The striker netted for the 15th time this season as he calmly slotted the ball past Richards to put Argyle ahead.
Crewe had their first attempt on goal soon afterwards when midfielder Luke Murphy fired narrowly wide from 20 yards.
Camara had a low, scuffed shot easily saved by Richards as Argyle played with good attacking intent.
Crewe still had plenty of the ball, though, and almost equalised when Charlie Kirk played through Finney but his attempt lacked power and was easily saved by Mike Cooper.
Jephcott had a chance to extend Argyle’s lead in the 37th minute when he received a pass from Camara and his left-foot shot was pushed wide for a corner by Richards.
From the resulting corner, the ball broke to Grant and his fierce strike was superbly clawed away by the Crewe ‘keeper.
Fornah then sent a 30-yard drive over the crossbar after defender Kell Watts stepped forward into the attack and picked him out with a pass inside.
There was one more good opportunity for the hosts before the interval after some great play from Danny Mayor.
He moved into the penalty area and had Offord unsure which way he was going to go before cutting the ball back to Watts.
The on-loan Newcastle United defender got in a powerful strike but it hit Crewe midfielder Ryan Wintle and the ball rebounded out for a corner.
It had been a very good display from Argyle up until that point, with the one disappointment being that they were not further ahead.
The start of the second period passed off without incident as the goalscoring chances dried up.
Grant did come up with one excellent run and cross but Jephcott could not quite get on the end of his driven cross.
At the other end of the pitch, Crewe striker Mikael Mandron had a shot saved by Cooper as the game continued to be closely contested.
Richards made a good double save, first from Grant and then the follow-up from Camara, before the visitors equalised in the 64th minute.
Finney scored with a well-placed shot low to the left of Cooper after running onto a pass into the Argyle penalty area and holding off Fornah.
Striker Frank Nouble was a 67h minute substitute for Hardie as Crewe started to put the home side under some pressure for the first time in the match.
Kirk was a constant threat for them, and one superb piece of skill to flick the ball forward, almost resulted in a chance for Owen Dale.
Mandron curled a left-foot shot wide of Cooper’s far post before Lewis was sent on as a 78th minute substitute for Mayor as he made his Argyle debut.
Camara then almost restored the Pilgrims’ lead in the 80th minute with a terrific 25-yard shot which forced an outstanding save out of Richards.
Lewis had taken up the left wingback role for the home side, with Grant moving into central midfield after the departure of Mayor.
Jephcott was replaced by Telford in the 89th minute before Camara was sent-off in stoppage time for a second yellow card offence.
It means he will be suspended for Argyle’s next League One game, away to Sunderland on Tuesday night.