Hereford Youth 1 Argyle Youth 2

ARGYLE'S under-18 side completed their Football League Youth Alliance Southern Section fixtures with a victory after winning 2-1 away to Hereford United last Thursday.

Argyle's victory cemented their third place standing with Devon rivals Exeter City several points behind, in fourth, and Torquay United back in sixth.

Bristol Rovers are the new champions after last Saturday's 3-1 victory over Exeter saw them overtake long-time leaders Oxford United, who finished nine points ahead of Argyle, to lift the title by a point.

Thursday's success, on the main pitch at Edgar Street, ended a run of two consecutive defeats for the Pilgrims but once again they were slow to start and it was the lowly Bulls who took the first half honours.

The home side went in at the break leading 1-0 after a 22nd minute shot flew low past Tom McHale from 12 yards.

It could have been two but for a very good penalty save by McHale after Josh Hutchinson's superb tackle had been somehow adjudged a foul.

Whatever words of wisdom were issued by Academy Manager Kevin Hodges, pictured, during the break certainly had the desired effect as Argyle emerged from the interval with far more purpose in their play.

Solomon Wheatley had their first real chance, on 50 minutes, but he hit Matt Lecointe's low cross straight at the home goalkeeper.

Wheatley's luck was still missing as two minutes later he fired River Allen's right-wing corner against the Bull's crossbar.

The Argyle winger made amends 10 minutes later when he met Allen's corner with a first time shot from six yards that flew in to the roof of the net.

Hereford were still rueing that goal when Wheatley turned provider with cross that found Lecointe free in the box to fire home from close range.

Hereford's only real chance of the second half did not arrive until the final minute of the game, but McHale produced a good save to preserve his side's lead.

Argyle: Tom McHale, Colin Watson, Ben Purrington, Kerian Asamadu-Sakyi, James Bradley (c), Solomon Wheatley, River Allen, Matt Lecointe, Ryan Lane (Ethan Stark 80), Joshua Hutchinson (Jake Miller 75), Will Sargent. Substitute (not used): Nathan Summers.