Plymouth Argyle 0 Wrexham 0

Last updated : 27 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Wrexham frustrated Second Division leaders Plymouth with a gritty defensive performance as the Pilgrims dropped their first points at Home Park since the departure of manager Paul Sturrock.

The Welshmen held out in a game of few chances despite having central defender Craig Morgan sent off just after half-time for two bookable offences.

By the time midfielder Darren Ferguson was also dismissed, late into injury-time, also for two bookable offences, the Red Dragons' work was done as they maintained their push for a play-off place.

Argyle's best opportunity to score in a dour first half fell early on to Nathan Lowndes, who headed wide after David Norris had crossed from the right.

For the second week in a row, Argyle found themselves playing against 10 men for almost the entire second half after Morgan was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

The defender, who had been booked in the first half for a tackle from behind on Lowndes, collected a second yellow for barging David Friio into touch.

From Paul Wotton's free-kick for the foul, Mickey Evans' header was well saved by Wrexham goalkeeper Mike Ingham, before Carlos Edwards blocked a shot from Friio with the goal gaping, and Friio then shot just over from long range.

Wrexham's blanket defending was almost undone by full-back Paul Connolly after substitute Marino Keith flicked on Lee Hodges' corner, but the young defender failed to get a telling final touch.

Ferguson departed after barging into Peter Gilbert, having been booked for dissent earlier in the game.

Plymouth's frustrations were somewhat lessened after the final whistle with the news that neither of their closest rivals for promotion, QPR and Bristol City, had closed the gap on their seven-point lead.