Two more for Whittaker earns Pilgrims a big point against Cardiff

MORGAN Whittaker had a happy return to Wales as the former Swansea City attacker scored twice for Plymouth Argyle in a battling 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

It was a result which left the Pilgrims still searching for a first away Championship win of the season after 12 attempts but it did extend their unbeaten run to four games.

They have also drawn 2-2 in both of the matches since Neil Dewsnip took charge after the sudden departure of Steven Schumacher to take over at Stoke City.

Whittaker gave Argyle an early lead against Cardiff but an own goal from midfielder Matt Butcher after a mix-up with goalkeeper Conor Hazard made it 1-1 shortly after the half-hour mark.

Karlan Grant then fired Cardiff 2-1 ahead in the early stages of the second half but Whittaker came up with his 12th goal of the season in the 66th minute to make it 2-2.

Both sides had chances to win the Boxing Day clash after that, with the best one falling to substitute Bali Mumba who hit a shot against the underside of the crossbar.

Argyle took on Cardiff without key midfielder Jordan Houghton in the squad at all, and with Joe Edwards named among the substitutes, the visitors were captained by defender Lewis Gibson.

There were six changes to the starting line-up from the 3-3 draw with Birmingham City at Home Park for the second of four games in a hectic 10-day period.

Coming into the side were Macaulay Gillesphey, Butcher, Callum Wright, Mickel Miller, Adam Randell, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

The quintet of Mumba, Edwards, Finn Azaz, Brendan Galloway and Luke Cundle all dropped down to the substitutes’ bench and there was no Houghton.