Argyle 3 Donegal 4 - Milk Cup

ARGYLE lost by the odd goal in seven in a topsy-turvy final Milk Cup game in Northern Ireland, against the team they started the competition against. 

The young Pilgrims had come from behind to twice take the lead against Donegal only to allow their Irish opponents to score twice and take 11th place.

Mark McAteer was given the freedom of the Argyle area to fire Donegal into a fifth minute lead but the scores were level, ten minutes later, as fine work by Luke Jephcott set up Kieron Rowe to fire home at the near post.

Jephcott had two chances to give Argyle the lead before his defence gave the ball away for James Carolan to restore Donegal's lead.

Argyle required just a minute of the second period to restore parity, with Jephcott cutting in from the right to send his shot flying inside the far post for his fifth goal in the competition.

The travelling Argyle fans were celebrating again, eight minutes later, as good play from Jephcott saw his cross find Rowe who laid the ball back for Jack Crocker to lash into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

However, Carolan soon notched his second of the game as Donegal hit back.

Argyle replied with Rowe firing Jephcott's driven cross wide of the near post before Adam Randell's powerful header was cleared off the line. Just as penalties looked to be looming Aaron Doherty was left with too

much time and space and he joyfully fired low into the corner of the Argyle goal.

Several of this young squad will be available next season should Argyle return to the competition, and their experience could prove vital.

Argyle: Max Childs (Jordan Duffey h-t), Rio Garside, Tom Purrington, Harry Downing, Elliott Crawford (Stuart Lamont h-t), Adam Randell, Luke Jephcott, Aaron Goulty (Jack Rhead 41), Jack Crocker,

Isaac Burdon, Kieron Rowe. Substitutes not used; Jake Hawson, Oliver Tomlinson, Michael Peck, Joshua Barrett.