Plymouth Argyle 2 Southampton 0

Last updated : 26 December 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Plymouth Argyle bounced back to break a six-match winless run thanks a goal seven minutes before half-time and another seven minutes afterwards.

Recalled forward Rory Fallon opened the scoring after a fairly uneventful start to the match, and midfielder Luke Summerfield sealed a welcome three points that keeps the Pilgrims on the coat-tails of the Championship play-off chasers with a coolly-taken penalty.

For Southampton, another defeat means that they have gone seven matches since their last victory and remain deep in relegation trouble.

Fallon, who had been suspended for Argyle's pre-Christmas defeat at Barnsley, returned with a vengeance to power home a header from a cross by winger Craig Noone, who was making his first full start since a summer move from non-league Southport.

Fallon was also involved in the penalty award for the second goal, his shot after Paul Gallagher's smart work on the right flank being charged down by Saints' centre-back Olly Lancashire with referee Roger East ruling that the ball had struck his raised hand.

Summerfield, who has not been a popular figure with the Argyle fans this season, kept his cool as Southampton had three players booked as they furiously protested against the decision, and slotted the ball neatly home.

Had it not have been for goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, Saints might have returned home with a sterner beating.

Davis made two world-class saves to deny, first, Fallon's first-half header from close range, and, then, a blistering drive 15 minutes from the end by Argyle substitute Jamie Mackie.

Saints' only realistic effort came before the Pilgrims had scored, when tricky winger Ryan Smith's cross took a deflection and looped up to David McGoldrick, unmarked at the far post just yards from goal.

Any contact seemed certain to produce a goal, but Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu produced heroics to palm away the point-blank effort.