Argyle acquit themselves well but pay the penalty in narrow loss to Burnley

WAYNE Rooney described as 'a little bit harsh' the penalty from which Burnley scored the goal to beat his Plymouth Argyle side 1-0 at Turf Moor.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

All that separated the two teams in the Championship match was a 26th minute spot kick from Burnley captain Josh Brownhill, which was awarded by referee Robert Madley after a challenge by Darko Gyabi on Josh Cullen.

Argyle goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw went to his left as Brownhill put the penalty to his right and that was enough to seal victory for the Clarets, who are expected to challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League after relegation last season.

Rooney said: "Initially, from the side, it looked like a penalty, so I understand the referee giving it. I don't think it was as clear cut as I thought. I have watched it back after the game and Darko does pout his leg up but I think it's clever play from the Burnley player, who throws himself into it really.

"It's one where, as an attacking player, you use your nous. If a leg is there you throw yourself into it and you con the referee a little bit. It's a little bit harsh I felt, but the referee gave it so we have to deal with that." Argyle's team against Burnley showed three changes from the 3-1 home win against Luton Town, with summer signings Nathanael Ogbeta and Victor Palsson both making just their second Championship starts of the season.

Ogbeta and Palsson came into the side for Bali Mumba and Joe Edwards respectively, and there was also a place for Ibrahim Cissoko after his two goals as a substitute in the victory over Luton.