as Argyle grind out quest for play-offs

PLYMOUTH

- By CHRIS ERRINGTON

Argyle kept their up League One playoff push as they beat fifth-placed Stevenage 1-0 at Home Park after a second half goal from Mathias Ross.The Danish defender capped an excellent individual display by scoring the decisive goal in the 57th minute as he headed home from a Ronan Curtis corner.

Argyle found it hard going against Stevenage, who relied heavily on set pieces and long throw-ins for their attacking threat, but Tom Cleverley's side stayed strong and limited the clear-cut scoring chances the visitors had.

It now sets up another hugely important home game against playoff chasing Huddersfield Town, who will have former Pilgrims' pair Ryan Hardie and Bali Mumba in their ranks.

Goalkeeper Conor Hazard and midfielder Jamie Paterson came into the Argyle team against Stevenage with Luca Ashby-Hammond dropping down to the substitutes' bench and Caleb Watts missed out due to injury.

Hazard returned from a four-match absence due to a groin injury while Paterson played in his 19th league game of the campaign for the Pilgrims but it was just his fourth start.

Ayman Benarous and Brendan Galloway were both included among the substitutes after recovering from injuries, and there was again a place on the bench for 17-year-old midfielder Seb Campbell.

Watts was not selected because of a calf issue which could potentially also rule him out of the visit from Huddersfield Town on Saturday but no longer than that.

Stevenage's starting lineup showed two changes from their 1-0 home win against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, and one of them saw former Argyle midfielder Jordan Houghton drop down to the bench.

With Hazard between the posts for the Pilgrims the unchanged back four for Argyle was Joe Edwards, Ross, Alex Mitchell and Jack MacKenzie.

Malachi Boateng, Herbie Kane and Paterson were a midfield trio, while Ronan Curtis and Owen Dale provided the attacking width and Bim Pepple was up front.