Heroic Burton sends the Pilgrims off to Wembley

Callum Burton was the hero for the Pilgrims, saving three out of five spot kicks after 90 minutes of football that saw Argyle dominate but lack a cutting edge.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

PLYMOUTH Argyle are off to Wembley after a dramatic 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Cheltenham Town in the semi-final of the Papa John’s Trophy at a raucous Home Park.

Alfie May gave the Robins the lead shortly after half-time, but Ryan Hardie came off the bench to level with a sumptupous lob. Sam Cosgrove hit the post in stoppage time as the Pilgrims looked moe likely to score a winner.

Instead, it went to penalties and after Hardie and Cosgrove scored, Finn Azaz struck the post.

Former Pilgrim Ryan Broom then saw his effort saved by Callum Burton, Macauley Gillsphey’s went in off the bar and Burton saved again from Elliot Bonds.

Jordan Houghton then skied high with a chance to win it for Argyle, but Burton’s third save ensured it was Argyle who will head to Wembley where they will face either Accrington Stanley or Bolton Wanderers.

Steven Schumacher made six changes to his side from the 0-0 League One draw with Fleetwood Town, with starts for defenders James Bolton and Brendan Galloway among them.

It was Galloway’s first game since recovering from a hamstring injury which he suffered in training in early December and the Zimbabwe international lined up on the left of the Pilgrims’ defensive trio.

Bolton’s only previous start this season since he made his comeback from a long-term ankle injury was in the 2-0 Papa Johns Trophy quarterfinal win away to Bristol Rovers last month.

Also coming into the Argyle side for the semi-final were midfield duo Matt Butcher and Danny Mayor, left wing-back Mickel Miller and striker Niall Ennis.

There was plenty of attacking firepower on the bench for the Pilgrims with Hardie, Sam Cosgrove and Ben Waine all named among the substitutes.