Adams' late goal breaks Argyle hearts

STEVEN Schumacher thought Plymouth Argyle again proved they can compete at Championship level despite losing 2-1 to Southampton in front of the TV cameras.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Plymouth Argyle 1 Southampton 2

The Pilgrims played on the counterattack for a lot of the match at a sold-out Home Park and caused Russell Martin's possession-based Southampton side plenty of problems, especially in the first half.

A slow start to the second period saw Southampton open the scoring through Nathan Tella but Ryan Hardie equalised in the 51st minute with a fine near post finish after a Morgan Whittaker cross.

It remained 1-1 until the fourth of nine minutes added on at the end of the match when Scotland international striker Che Adams slotted home from close range.

Schumacher was disappointed with the result but not his side's performance against an opposition-packed with Premier League experience.

He said: "I thought it was a good standard, some real high-quality moments in the game from both teams. We definitely played our part. The first half in particular, I felt we probably just edged. We looked more dangerous with the chances we created.

"Southampton came into the game in the second half a little bit more. They had huge spells of possession that we expected but all of the time I thought we were always in it. To lose it like that right at the end is a bit gutting, a bit of a sucker punch, but that's football and it can be cruel sometimes."

Even after the goal from Adams, Argyle tried to respond and they forced Southampton onto the defensive. "We had five minutes to go so I felt we would get one back," said the Pilgrims' boss.

"That has been a trait of our team over the last couple of seasons. We never give in, we never sit back and accept a defeat. We kept pushing and had a couple of chances from set plays.

"On another day one of them goes in but I can't fault the lads' effort. They gave us absolutely everything they had today.