Argyle boss Foster under fire from fans after fourth straight Home Park defeat

PLYMOUTH Argyle slumped to a fourth consecutive Home Park defeat, all of them without scoring a goal, and many supporters turned on head coach Ian Foster as his side lost 1-0 to Preston North End.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

It was a winning return to the Theatre of Greens for former Pilgrims’ boss Ryan Lowe as his old club dropped to 18th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation positions, and the pressure on Foster, just 12 league games into his tenure, only intensified.

There were loud chants against Foster during the second half and especially after the final whistle as fans showed their displeasure after another home performance from Argyle where they struggled to create clear-cut scoring chances.

There was applause from the Green Army for the players, though, when they went across to the Devonport End after a game which was decided by a 43rd-minute goal from Liam Millar.

Argyle failed to have a shot on target from nine goal attempts as they suffered a demoralising defeat going into the two-week international break, and with their Championship status coming under increasing threat.

Striker Ryan Hardie made his 200th appearance for the Pilgrims, whose starting line-up showed two changes from the 1-1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers.

Joe Edwards was at right wingback with Bali Mumba starting a two-match suspension after receiving 10 yellow cards in the Championship this term, and Adam Randell was in central midfield instead of Adam Forshaw.

The latter was not in the matchday squad and neither were Darko Gyabi and Matty Sorinola, all of which led to Dan Scarr and Callum Wright being included among the substitutes, along with academy products Freddie Issaka and Caleb Roberts.

Goalkeeper Michael Cooper made his first Home Park appearance since the start of December after returning to the team against Blackburn after a knee injury.