Come-from-behind win seals title triumph

PLYMOUTH Argyle completed a never-to-be-forgotten campaign by clinching the League One title with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Port Vale in the Potteries

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Steven Scumacher’s Pilgrims ended the 46-game season with a remarkable record of 31 wins and 101 points as they held off the challenge of Ipswich Town, who could only manage a 2-2 draw away to Fleetwood Town in their final match, leaving Argyle three points clear of them after winning 11 of their last 13 matches.

There was an early setback for the already promoted Pilgrims when James Plant gave Vale the lead inside three minutes.

However, goals from Adam Randell and Joe Edwards put the visitors ahead by half-time and after substitute Finn Azaz made it 3-1 in the 61st minute the league title was within their grasp.

Vale made Argyle work for it as they kept pressing forward but the Pilgrims stayed strong and at the final whistle they could celebrate becoming champions.

Argyle’s starting line-up showed one change from the promotionclinching 1-0 win against Burton Albion at Home Park. The returning Jordan Houghton slotted into central midfield alongside Adam Randell as Matt Butcher dropped out of the matchday squad. There was a place on the bench for Conor Grant, whose 2022/23 campaign had been badly disrupted by injuries.

Mumba was the only one of five Argyle’s loan signings in the side to start the match, with Finn Azaz, Sam Cosgrove, Nigel Lonwijk and Jay Matete all among the substitutes.

Argyle had the support of a 4,000-strong travelling Green Army, many of whom arrived at Vale Park before 10am, and they were packed into the Hamill Road Stand.

They gave the promotion-winning Pilgrims, wearing their mint and grey third kit, a tremendous ovation as they took to the pitch.