Pilgrims keep hopes alive with stirring win

If Plymouth Argyle do go down this season, nobody could ever accuse the Pilgrims of not putting up an incredible fight for survival.

Written off so many times over recent months, Argyle are still scrapping hard for a place in the Sky Bet Championship next season. The big problem is teams they are trying to catch are also picking up points.

After the immense disappointment of a last-minute loss at Middlesbrough on Good Friday, when Argyle were beaten by a penalty of blancmange softness, a win at home to play-off chasing Coventry City was absolutely crucial.

In bright, sunny conditions at Home Park, Argyle had to withstand early pressure from the visitors but gradually grew into a game that burst into life in the closing five minutes of the first period.

Mustapha Bundu was a menace all afternoon and he opened the scoring with a shot on the turn on 40 minutes. From the very next attack, Bundu laid a neat pass on a plate for Ryan Hardie to double the home lead.

Pilgrim joy turned to concern when Coventry quickly pulled one back through Haji Wright, pouncing on the rebound after a strong save from Conor Hazard.

Again, Argyle had to weather a mild storm at the start of the second period, but the power of Bundu sealed a 3-1 win, as he forced the ball over the line from close range.

The Greens remain bottom on 43 points, level with Cardiff City, but wins for Luton, Derby and Hull means they are still three points from safety with just two games to go. The next challenge is a trip to Preston North End, where Argyle must get something to take the fight to the final day visit from champions-elect Leeds United.

Argyle head coach Miron Muslic told BBC Sport: "I'm very proud to deliver this kind of performance, just two days after Middlesbrough.

"To step on the field today and perform like the lads performed I'm very proud – we knew the calibre of the opponent they're flying with 15 wins from 20 games

"We had a fantastic match plan, great discipline and the heart and desire to execute it. We did our job today and I think we did it in an excellent way.

"We want to win the next one because the last home game against Leeds, we have a final, and that's what we're aiming for."