Edwards' Shrewsbury Reaction

There is no way that Joe Edwards would have wanted – nor expected – his first goal of 2022/23 to come in the 41st league game, but if that was to be the case, he could scarcely have selected a more vital moment.

Argyle had gone behind early in the second half at Shrewsbury Town, but on 68 minutes Edwards got on the end of a Niall Ennis cross to head home an equaliser.

In a thrilling finale to the match, substitute Callum Wright got his head on another flighted cross, this time by Macaulay Gillepshey, to give Argyle a late win and send everyone in green and white into raptures.

“Their goal was early enough that we knew we had plenty of time to get in the game,” Joe told Argyle TV. “If we kept the ball well and moved it across, we knew we'd tire them out.

“We knew that one goal could get us in, then it gives us every chance to nick one later on – and that's what we did.

“[My first goal] has been a long time coming. I'm annoyed I haven’t scored already this season so far, but this was an important goal for us.

“I mentioned to the boys to try and aim for the back stick. I felt like I was getting a bit of room there and their lad was switching off a couple times. Niall did some great work down the wing and put in a fantastic ball.

“It was an easy header for me to put away and it came at an important time where we still had enough time to get back in the game.

"That's the team we've got; we never give up. It's almost the best way to go and win a game. I know it's not nice to watch at times, but to win a game in that manner, that's a really, really, really good feeling. We kept pushing, we were patient at times when we needed to be, and we deserved the win in the end.

“We've done it numerous times this season; I think that shows the character that we've got in this squad, on this team. We've got players coming off the bench and making impacts all the time. We've got lads doing shifts in different positions and that's what it takes to get to where you want to get to.”

Saturday’s win against Exeter saw a post-match tableau for the ages. Captured on the club’s Matchday Moments series, Edwards charged down the pitch seconds after the conclusion of the Derby victory, and roared with celebration at the travelling Green Army – who returned his roar with interest.

Three days later, some 180 miles further north, another mass gathering of Argyle’s travelling supporters saw them make that noise all over again, and Edwards could not have been happier to play a part in given them that moment.

Crucially, he is hoping on a couple more to come in the coming weeks.

“Emotions came out on Saturday,” Joe said. “That was a massive result for us in the league and obviously considering who we were playing. With them behind us, it is even better.

“Then tonight, to get a last-minute winner, seeing them there singing and cheering, it was a fantastic feeling.

“It's time for us to keep working hard and cherishing these moments. Hopefully it's a happy memory and we can really achieve something special in the next few weeks.”