Hull City (A) | Schumacher's Reaction

Argyle’s 1-1 draw at Hull City definitely falls into ‘could have gone either way’ category.

Minutes after Adam Randell scored to put Argyle into the lead midway through the first half, Finn Azaz struck a shot past the Hull goalkeeper, which hit the post, rolled across the face of goal, and disappeared for a goal kick.

There is no guarantee Argyle would have won the game from there, but they would have been in a very strong position, for sure. Instead, Hull equalised through Regan Slater on the stroke of half-time.

In the closing moments of the game, as the Tigers sought a winner, they probably thought they had it from a chance by Alfie Jones, but Conor Hazard made a top-class save with an outstretched foot, and Argyle came away with a point.

“I think any point in the Championship is a good point, especially away from home,” said Greens boss Steven Schumacher, after the game. “We've had to work really hard to earn that point today. We showed different sides of our game. We've competed against a really good Hull City team throughout the game.

“On another day we could have taken three points maybe, but we also could have lost it, so it could have gone either way. A point is probably a fair result on reflection.

“Hull City started the game really fast; they are playing with confidence at the moment. We expected that. Once we settled into the game, I thought we did well.

“Rands scored at a good time for us, then we nearly scored again right after when Finn Azaz hit the post. We nicked the ball from a good press and nearly caught the goalkeeper out. If we'd have gone in 2-0 up, it would have been a cushion that would have been beneficial for us.

“Just when we felt we were comfortable in the half, we made a mistake and they punished us - and it's 1-1 at half-time. I had to reset and speak about what areas we could improve in the second half.

“I felt they started the second half well again, so we needed to make a bit of a tactical change. Once we did that, we came into the second half.

“In injury time, we were having to throw bodies on the line, and the big man had to make a brilliant save.

“They threw loads of bodies on, put loads of strikers on the pitch and were going for the winner, as you would expect from a home team. We had to defend really well.

“I think we defended their corners excellently. Ryan Hardie got his first contact on the corners two or three times at big moments. Conor produced a worldy save and that's what it's going to take. We can't let our concentration drop for one second in the Championship because if you do, you get punished for it, as we've seen a few times this season.

“The majority of this season, we've shown that we can compete. We've shown that we're a good team and we can push these top teams all the way. There's only one time this season that we've let our standards drop and we know what happened on that night.

“That would be the message to the lads: this is a good point and we need to get home, recover and get ready to go again on Tuesday.”

The game marked the 500th professional appearance in the career of Joe Edwards. The Argyle skipper, who has now played 193 times for Argyle, put in a typically committed performance, and gained praise from his manager for that, and for a tremendous career so far.

“He's so consistent,” said Schumacher. “He gives us everything that he's got. He was up against some good players today in wide areas and defended incredibly well.

“When we needed him to land on second balls, he did. He was calm in possession. He puts in a performance that any good skipper does.

“I’m pleased for him. It's a brilliant milestone for him to get to 500 appearances. It's not easy for anyone to do that, and at such a young age as well, really.

“He's got loads of years and loads of games left in him as well. All credit to him. He should be proud of his afternoon's work.”