Argyle Youth 0 Bristol Rovers 1
FOR the second game running, Argyle's youngsters were left cursing their luck as they certainly did not deserve to lose this entertaining Merit League encounter at the Manadon Hub.
The Pilgrims controlled the first half and only a sprawling save by Harry Thomas-Barker kept out Ali Mansaray's seventh-minute acrobatic effort. A sustained spell of Argyle pressure resulted in a right-wing cross finding Rubin Wilson heading goalwards, only for Thomas-Barker to once again produce a superb save.
Jeremiah Medine's 20 yard curler was effectively dealt with by the Gas custodian before the visitors finally had their first effort on the Argyle goal in the 28th minute but Luca Hoole's lob was comfortably dealt with by Tyler Coombes.
It was against the run-of-play that Rovers took a 38th-minute goal as Ollie Hulbert's superb cross found the unmarked Kieran Phillips scoring with a fierce header from six yards.
Rovers came more into the game after the break but it was the Pilgrims who created the first opportunity as Jarvis Cleal showed good feet in the area, only to see his final shot deflected wide of the goal.
Rovers hit back with Kinsly Murray forcing a fine save out of Coombes before Phillips burst clear only to lob the ball wide. The impressive Scott Crocker did well to find substitute Oscar Massey but his early drive was blocked at the foot of the near post by Thomas-Bark before Argyle fashioned two late chances to salvage a point.
Cleal's right-wing free-kick saw Ollie Tomlinson beat Thomas-Barker to the ball but his header flew narrowly wide of the far post. Cleal was once again involved in the final chance as his pull-back found Rhys Shirley's first time shot superbly deflected over his bar by Thomas-Barker.
Argyle: Tyler Coombes, Ali Mansaray, Isaac Burdon, Jude Boyd (Carlo Garside 67), Ollie Tomlinson, Jeremiah Medine (Angel Wariuh 65), A Trialist, Rhys Shirley, Rubin Wilson (Oscar Massey 77), Scott Crocker, Jarvis Cleal.