PRESSURE is most definitely on.
Argyle head coach Paul Mariner and his assistant John Carver have certainly livened the dugout shenanigans since they began their quest to keep us in the Championship.
The Mariner-skip and Carver-rant have become Home Park highlights in recent months and we couldn't resist another close look at Argyle's dynamic duo.
The visit of Bristol City for a crucial Westcountry derby merely added spice to an already juicy mix, and Robins' boss Gary Johnson is also a man not exactly known for his timid deference.
One final ingredient: Keith Millen, Johnson's assistant, had a public bust-up with midfielder Paul Hartley after the Scot conceded a penalty in City's 2-0 weekend defeat at Reading. Although Hartley has since apologised and promised undying love to Millen, he would have to make his amends from the bench.
Nursing his trusty cup of tea, Mariner sprung his first surprise of the night by turning right out of the tunnel and taking his place in the away dugout. The idea is simple: from that side of the pitch, our trusty two can indulge in their favourite match pastime of politely questioning the officials at a far closer proximity to the unfortunate assistant referee.
The happiest man in the stadium, therefore, was the fourth official Mr Andy Rodda, who, unlike his predecessors would not have to exchange messages between our stressed bench and the scampering assistant.
As for events on the pitch, Mariner's first complaint was aimed at his defenders for lazily allowing Nicky Maynard the time and space to pivot on the edge of our box and send a searing drive narrowly wide. 'Press the ball' was the printable version.
Johnson undoubtedly enjoyed the first 15 minutes more than Mariner, who, though pleased with the general defending of his side, bemoaned his front two of Mackie and Wright-Phillips being on their heels when the ball was cleared. The net result was more City pressure.
On an uncharacteristically quiet start to the evening, Mariner vented his bubbling frustration at Yala Bolasie for allowing Ivan Sproule room to square a cross for Cole Skuse. His shot was saved by Stockdale but the rebound swept home. Mariner instantly erected a relieved finger at the flag-waving lino, and that's why we swapped dugouts. Simples.
A free-kick to Argyle finally popped Johnson's cork, as he sang an angry song at the linesman for the referee's failure to spot an infringement by Kári Árnason when the cross came over. The lino merely exploited his safe distance from Johnson and turned away, and that's why we swapped dugouts. Last time I promise, simples.
Johnson's annoyance soon turned to reluctant admiration. Mackie persevered, Chris Barker swung over a beautiful cross and Chris Clark lashed home a brilliant opener. Mariner contented himself with a manic fist-pump, while Carver set about organising his celebrating defenders in a clear case of coaching O.C.D.
Anger was the next emotion from our bench, as Skuse somehow escaped retribution for a savage assault on Clark's ankle. Mariner and Carver thus screamed Green murder at anyone who even looked remotely like an official.
Mr Rodda's attempt to settle the situation down resulted in a swift rebuke from Carver. 'Get back in your little box' was the Geordie response to the fourth official's ill-advised foray into diplomacy.
The half ended with further Green delight, as shambolic Robins' defending allowed Wright-Phillips to flip home a magical overhead kick for his first goal for Argyle. Suspicious minds will point to the dugout switch. I tend to believe we've been due to give out a whipping for a while.
My foolish lapse into complacency was given a warranted correction by Mariner's frantic appeals for the referee to allow the magnificent Réda Johnson time to recover his position after committing a foul high up the pitch at the start of the second-half.
If Karl Duguid didn't know Jamal Campbell-Ryce was right-footed before he set off on a weaving run, Mariner's impression of Rain Man soon clarified any confusion. Right-foot, right-foot, right-foot. Doogie saw him onto his left-foot.
A soft free-kick conceded. Lashed home by Maynard and we were back in a game. Carver and Mariner immediately tried to rally the troops but the pressure was definitely back on.
Within a minute, Jamie McCallister rifled in a stunning free-kick that Stockdale pushed wide with astonishing agility. 'Switch on' was Mariner's bemused response, followed by a strategic chat with Carver.
We then had a disturbing moment of McCallister attempting to make love to Wright-Phillips al fresco. Only 15 minutes to go, and match-day announcer, Fitz, revealed his £20 bet on a 2-1 win for the Greens, prompting mild terror in the microphone every time either side attacked.
Shape was the new keyword for the comparably stressed Mariner and Carver, although Stefan Maierhofer's persistence in using Doogie's foot as a springboard came as a mild distraction.
Then, horror.
A mistake at the back, which Mariner hopefully claimed was a foul led to an equaliser from Maynard. It was too much to take for all of us, let alone our men in charge.
The passion of the moment got too much for Johnson, who earned himself a telling-off from the referee for claiming Campbell-Ryce's finger-stab in Doogie's throat did not warrant a booking.
Our lino then had an absolute stinker. Mackie's run was blocked by a challenge from Liam Fontaine. The ball flipped up onto the lino's chest, who, by the very nature of his job, is off the pitch. The same man then failed to give a throw and City launched an attack.
Unless the lino is without the sense of touch, it was the strangest decision anyone has ever seen. Campbell-Ryce then picked up his second yellow card for an attack on Clark. The bench response to both incidents was furious bewilderment.
Even in our perilous position, you can't beat a stonking derby.
Five minutes of injury time on the board. Carl Fletcher scores what could be the most important goal of our tortuous season. There have been some dark times over the last seven months but, whatever happens, this extraordinary match will live long in the memory.
Mariner went positively mental in the dying seconds, as his beleaguered troops struggled retain the calm required to hold on for the win. His new dugout received a firm right hook as a release of the tension.
Despite the plastic bruising, I suspect we will keep the same dugout for the next home game against Blackpool. Their manager is used to turning left out of the Home Park tunnel anyway.
Even the return of Ian Holloway, however, will struggle to surpass this amazing contest. Well done both sides and both dugouts.
Tim Herbert
