PLYMOUTH Argyle came off second best to Steven Scumacher's Stoke City by some distance as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 in a clash between two of the teams fighting to avoid relegation out of the Championship in the end-of-season run-in.
It was a first defeat for the Pilgrims in four games since Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell took temporary charge for the second time this season following the dismissal of Ian Foster. Although some of the decision-making from the match officials, led by referee Robert Madley, did them no favours at times, Argyle could have no complaints about the outcome.
Stroke handled the atmosphere and the occasion better than them and were good value for their victory, which came courtesy of two late first half goals from Ki-Jana Hoever and Million Manhoef, and a strike from Wouter Burger in the closing seconds.
While Stoke moved up to 17th position and on 50 points are now probably safe from the threat of relegation but Argyle on 48 still have work to do to retain their Championship status.
Joe Edwards returned to captain the Pilgrims at the bet365 Stadium as the one change to the starting line-up from the 1-0 victory over Leicester City in their previous match.
Edwards came into the side for Mickel Miller, who suffered a season-ending knee ligament injury in the Home Park clash against the Foxes.
Miller's place at left wing-back was taken over by Bali Mumba and Edwards lined up on the right in the Pilgrims' 3-4-2-1 formation.
Luke Cundle, who spent the first half of this season on loan to Argyle, was brought back into the Stoke side by Schumacher after he had scored their equaliser in the 1-1 draw away to Sheffield Wednesday.
Former Pilgrims' striker Niall Ennis, who scored the winning goal against Burton Albion at the Theatre of Greens last April which clinched promotion from League One, was named among the City substitutes.
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