Hat-trick of victories transforms the Plymouth Argyle season

Rewind six weeks and Plymouth Argyle looked like a club destined to spend their winter fighting against relegation.

The Pilgrims endured a brutal run of six straight defeats in all competitions, including a ignominious performance in the Devon derby at Exeter City, and were sat bottom of Sky Bet League One.

A scrappy 1-0 success at fellow strugglers Port Vale lifted the gloom but this was followed by home defeats to Northampton and Bradford. The picture was looking bleak at Home Park and pressure on manager Tom Cleverley mounting every week.

The response was narrow wins over Wycombe and Rotherham, lifting the mood and levels of hope among the Green Army, but there was no doubt the trip to relegation rivals Doncaster Rovers was a massive pre-Christmas test.

When the Greens conceded an early opener to Brandon Hanlan, it felt like a swift return to the dodgy form of those autumn months, but talisman Laurent Tolaj quickly levelled after pouncing on a defensive error.

Argyle then took control midway through the first half, Owen Oseni grabbing the lead with a fine finish from the edge of the box and Tolaj made it 3-1 from the next attack.

Rovers were reeling and their day was done when Tolaj completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot and there was time to round off a fabulous 5-1 victory in the closing minutes with a goal for Xavier Amaechi.

Incredibly, while Argyle are still only two points clear of the bottom four, there is a renewed optimism around the club and some are even casting a furtive glance at the play-off positions.