Plymouth Argyle strengthen play-off bid with narrow victory over Stevenage

Tom Cleverley’s Plymouth Argyle boosted their League One play-off ambitions with a hard-fought victory over Stevenage, who began the day sitting fifth in the table.

The decisive moment came in the 57th minute when Danish defender Mathias Ross rose highest to meet Ronan Curtis’ corner, his powerful header crashing in off the underside of the crossbar to give Argyle the lead.

Curtis had been at the heart of Plymouth’s attacking threat throughout an evenly contested first half. The winger came close to breaking the deadlock just before the interval, delivering a teasing ball from the right that forced Stevenage goalkeeper Filip Marschall into a fine fingertip save to push it over the bar.

Earlier, Curtis had also headed narrowly over at the far post after connecting with an accurate cross from Owen Dale, while another slick move saw Herbie Kane float a delivery into the box. Curtis nodded it back across goal, but Malachi Boateng could only direct his header just wide.

Stevenage, however, created chances of their own. Matty Phillips fired over inside the opening minutes, with Harvey White also missing the target soon after. Their best opportunity came in first-half stoppage time when Jamie Reid found himself one-on-one with recalled goalkeeper Conor Hazard, but he dragged his effort wide.

Plymouth continued to press after the break, with Jamie Paterson firing narrowly over shortly before Ross’s breakthrough goal. The defender nearly doubled his tally later on, only to be denied by Marschall’s save in the 69th minute.

Despite late pressure, Argyle held firm to secure a valuable three points, further strengthening their push for a place in the play-offs.

In stark contrast, Devon rivals Exeter City are now just one point above the relegation zone after a 3-2 defeat at Luton Town.