Southampton (A) | Dewsnip's Reaction

On Friday evening, in a St Mary’s minute, Argyle’s fortunes at Southampton took a huge turn.

In the 55th minute, Morgan Whittaker was released down the right flank, giving Argyle a chance for a rare foray forward. To that point, the Pilgrims had been under pressure from the lofty Saints, but the score was 0-0, and the counter-attack seemed Argyle’s best outlet.

A patient Whittaker got to the bye-line, cut back onto his left foot and patiently waited for an opportunity to float a ball to the far post, where Bali Mumba was stationed. Mumba nodded home, and Argyle led 1-0.

Except they did not.

Mumba’s header was ruled out by an assistant referee’s flag, which replays indicated was an erroneous call; Mumba was a yard or so onside.

To make matters worse, Southampton quickly kicked off, raced forward, and scored via Carlos Alcaraz, while Argyle were still simmering about their in justice.

Later, Che Adams added a second goal for Saints and although Ryan Hardie nicked a late goal for the Greens, and Argyle rallied late on, Southampton saw the game out.

“I'm really, really upset on behalf of the players,” said Director of Football Neil Dewsnip. “If I took you in our dressing room just after the game, the lads can't do any more.

“Our game plan was obvious. It was working a dream. We were doing fine. The last two teams we've come here have lost 4-0 and 5-0; we knew the size of the task. We score a really good goal that everybody in the country will know that we have and, once again, ‘little old Plymouth Argyle’ don't get the rub of the green.

“Just to rub salt in the wounds, we have three players who are celebrating the goal and the referee allows Southampton to play quickly -well done Southampton, by the way, fair enough - but the referee can manage that situation. We're three players down, and they have an overload when it's reversed back to the player who scores.

“We sat down and we've worked out a game plan to give us the best chance. We think we're pretty good as a counter-attacking team. Until the disallowed goal, that looked as though it could work. Unfortunately, that's been taken away from us.

“In the first half we felt as though we had some opportunities, which we didn't really take. A little bit more quality, a better final pass, and we'd have had a chance or two at the other end.

“Another group of people – 3,000 fans again - screaming from the rooftops, for which we're very, very grateful. I feel for them driving home as well as I feel for the players. It's really disappointing and difficult to take.”