Away-day woes return for Pilgrims

THE recent Plymouth Argyle resurgence under Miron Muslic came to a shuddering halt when they lost 2-0 to play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

It was the Pilgrims' first defeat in four Championship matches and they could have no complaints about it because Blackburn were the better side from start to finish. Argyle were well off the pace compared to their recent trio of home victories over West Bromwich Albion and Millwall in the league, as well as against Liverpool in the FACup.

It is now 18 away league games without a win for the Pilgrims, stretching all the way back to April 2024 and they remained in 23rd position in the table ahead of a vital clash at bottom-of-the-table Luton Town on Wednesday night.

It was former Argyle midfielder Adam Forshaw who opened the scoring for Blackburn in the 55th minute and Tyrhys Dolan made sure of the win by adding a second goal in the closing stages.

Poland international Tymoteusz Puchacz returned to the Pilgrims' starting line-up at left wing-back in place of Nathanael Ogbeta after being ruled out of the 5-1 win against Millwall at Home Park.

That was one of two changes to the team, with Darko Gyabi taking over from Jordan Houghton in central midfield alongside captain Adam Randell.

Blackburn were playing for the second time under the interim head coach David Lowe after John Eustace had left to take charge of Derby County. Lowe had led Rovers to an impressive 2-0 away win against West Bromwich Albion three days earlier, which moved them up to fifth position in the table.

There was a great chance for Blackburn to take the lead in only the second minute after some excellent wing play from Amario CozierDuberry. Callum Brittain then drove into the box and put in a deep cross towards Makhtar Gueye.

The Senegalese striker nodded the ball inside to the unmarked Dolan but he completely mistimed his header and it meant an easy save for Conor Hazard.