Pilgrims pay price for gifting Leeds two goals

STEVEN Schumacher admitted Plymouth Argyle paid the price for errors in giving the ball away as they lost 2-1 to Leeds United at Elland Road.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Schumacher changed tactics for the Championship clash against high-flying Leeds and sent his side out in a 3-4-3 formation, as opposed to a back four, and they made a solid start.

However, Leeds then took control of the match with goals from Dan James and Joel Piroe in the 21st and 28th minutes after Argyle turned over possession in dangerous positions.

At that stage, the visitors could have crumbled completely but they did not concede again and a switch to a 4-3-3 system shortly before the hour mark resulted in them working their way into the contest for the first time.

Substitute Ben Waine gave Argyle late hope of getting some reward against their former Premier League opponents when he scored from close range after a Luke Cundle cross, but Leeds held onto their onegoal advantage until full-time.

Schumacher said: For 20 minutes in the first half] thought we did okay. We limited Leeds to few clear cut chances on the goal. We actually had I think the first shot on target from Finn Azaz with a counter attack.

“The only disappointing thing in the first half really was the two errors we made right in front of our own box. We have paid the ultimate price for that. We gave the ball away twice in two poor areas and against a top team with quality players we got punished.