Grant returns with second goal in Argyle's super win at Accrington

Accrington Stanley 0 Plymouth Argyle 2

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

PLYMOUTH Argyle reached the 80-point mark for the season as they kept up their push for League One automatic promotion by beating Accrington Stanley 2-0 at the Wham Stadium.

Former Accrington midfielder Matt Butcher opened the scoring with a deflected shot in the 14th minute as the Pilgrims had the better of the first half.

Accrington had defender Mo Sangare sent-off early in the second period for a second bookable offence but that only inspired the home side to put Argyle under a lot of pressure.

However, Argyle were able to double their advantage in the 78th minute when substitute Conor Grant, on his return from injury, drilled a low shot into the net to make it 2-0.

By reaching 80 points, Steven Schumacher's side have equalled their tally from the whole of last season, still with eight more games to go this term.

With fourth-placed Barnsley beating Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 at Oakwell, the Pilgrims returned to the top of the table by a point.

Argyle were captained by defender James Wilson as Joe Edwards was ruled out by a hamstring injury he picked up in the first half of the 2-0 win against Forest Green Rovers.

Saxon Earley was brought into the starting line-up to play at left wingback, with Bali Mumba moving across to the right.

There was one other change to the Pilgrims' side as 17-goal top scorer Ryan Hardie led the attack instead of Niall Ennis, who was on the bench.

Also among the substitutes was Grant, who was in a matchday squad for the first time since he suffered a torn thigh muscle in the 5-1 FA Cup first round defeat away to Grimsby Town in November.

Defender James Wilson captained Argyle in the absence of Edwards while former Accrington midfielder Butcher lined up against the club from which he joined the Pilgrims last summer.