Brutal run continues for Plymouth Argyle

A 2-0 defeat at Oxford United extended Plymouth Argyle’s painful run of form to nine games without a win and the Greens end 2024 bottom of the Sky Bet Championship.

The Pilgrims have been beset by a severe injury crisis over the past two months, particularly in the forward department, but there was some hope provided by the return of Morgan Whittaker, Argyle’s talisman last season.

Unfortunately for Whittaker and his team-mates, the Greens were soon trailing at an Oxford side improving under new manager Gary Rowett, as a delicious cross from Tyler Goodrham was headed past recalled goalkeeper Conor Hazard by a rising Ciaron Brown.

Polish winger Przemyslaw Placheta was especially lively for the hosts, fizzing a low drive that forced a top save from Hazard but Argyle came out the brighter team early in the second period, and had a strong penalty claim denied when Darko Gyabi was shoved over in the box.

Just as Argyle looked to build momentum, Placheta struck a decisive second after a weaving run. Pilgrim misery was compounded by another decent penalty shout being waved away and they will be glad for a return to home soil with the visit of Bristol City on New Year’s Day.

Argyle boss Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport: "We didn't create enough chances and didn't do enough to stop them scoring their goals.

"With the first one, it comes from a cross and it's disappointing because we've been putting in work to stop crosses and get tighter to the man to stop it.

"The second goal comes from when they break out, we didn't do well enough one-on-one defensively and it has cost us.

"I expected a bit more today and we didn't get it but that's football, and unfortunately we come away with the defeat."