Dewsnip hails the resilience in Argyle comeback

DESPITE BEING 2-0 AND 3-1 DOWN, PILGRIMS CLAIM A CRUCIAL POINT

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

NEIL Dewsnip praised the resilience of the Plymouth Argyle players for fighting back to draw 3-3 with Birmingham City at Home Park after twice falling behind by two goals in a very eventful Championship match.

Director of football Dewsnip and long-serving coach Kevin Nancekivell took charge of the Pilgrims for the first time since Steven Schumacher quit the club to take over at Stoke City last Tuesday.

Dewsnip said: "I really enjoyed the experience, really proud of the players, really proud of the supporters. I thought they were equally fantastic, and really proud to have led a team for Plymouth Argyle."

He patrolled the technical area by the side of the pitch and admitted it had been a rollercoaster ride of emotions during the game.

"It feels a little bit strange and I would again express to all the supporters I'm not going to be the next manager," he said. "We are at the start of that process and hopefully we can get the right person very soon."

Argyle found themselves trailing 2-0 to Birmingham after 39 minutes when former Exeter City youngster Jay Stansfield opened the scoring and taunted the Devonport End with a shirt that read 'Once a Red, always a Red. The celebrations earned him a yellow card.

Jordan James volleyed in a second off the underside of the bar but captain Joe Edwards reduced the deficit shortly before half-time.

Birmingham then lost midfielder Krystian Bielik to a red card early in the second period after a tackle on Jordan Houghton but restored their two-goal advantage through Juninho Bacuna shortly after the hour mark.

After a very difficult week for everyone at Home Park after the departure of Schumacher, the Argyle players were able to battle back for a point after an own goal from Birmingham defender Marc Roberts and an 86th-minute Morgan Whittaker equaliser.