Plymouth Argyle 2 Swindon Town 1

Last updated : 13 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Plymouth Argyle striker Mickey Evans ended Swindon's 11-game unbeaten run and maintained the Pilgrims' five-point lead at the top of the Second Division following their 2-1 win at Home Park.

Evans netted seven minutes from time after Argyle were awarded an indirect free-kick in the penalty area when Robins 'keeper Rhys Evans picked up Matt Heywood's pass-back.

Evans tried to play a pass off his namesake but the Swindon man made a grab at the ball as it went past him and conceded an own goal.

The strike proved invaluable as Argyle, who had led from the 11th minute through Marino Keith's opportunist opener, conceded a late header to Tommy Mooney, but Swindon, who had defender Andy Gurney sent off after 75 minutes, could rescue a point.

The victory gave Argyle caretaker manager Kevin Summerfield his first victory since the departure of Paul Sturrock for Southampton ten days previously and kept the Pilgrims on target for the championship.

Rhys Evans had not made a save when he found himself picking the ball out of his net after Mickey Evans flicked it on and Swindon's defenders watched helplessly as Keith converted across the goalkeeper.

Swindon kept their composure and gave the leaders' defenders a real test, but Argyle stayed steady and were given a boost when last man Gurney was shown the red card for upending substitute Nathan Lowndes.

Then Heywood, under pressure from Evans as the pair chased Peter Gilbert's through-ball, instinctively passed back to his goalkeeper, who picked it up. Evans took the free-kick before the Swindon wall had formed and the ball rolled into the net off his namesake.

A close-range header from Mooney gave Argyle an anxious final few minutes but their defence held firm for a valuable win.