YOUNG strikers Chloe Roberts and Rachel Pitman scored the goals in a 3-1 away victory against Forest Green Rovers, that gave Plymouth Argyle Ladies three valuable points in their first league outing since November.

The Pilgrims went into the game without their influential captain Katie Middleton, but otherwise boasted a full-strength side, and eager to get their league campaign back on track after a long, enforced absence, went immediately onto the front foot - pinning the home side inside their own half and creating some early goalscoring opportunities.

Pitman went agonisingly close on 15 minutes shortly before strike partner Roberts expertly evaded two strong challenges on the corner of the penalty area and fired emphatically into the far top corner for a quite stunning goal and a vital lead against a side in good recent form.

Half chances then came and went for Argyle, with Roberts again, Laura Perrett and Helen Kukor all going close, until a dangerous Perrett corner caused confusion in the home defence, leaving Pitman with the opportunity to fire home from a couple of yards and give the Greens the two-goal cushion their performance to that point deserved.

However, the home side appeared for the second half with visibly more passion and desire to claw their way back into the game, and with some long, searching balls, began to put the young Argyle side on the back foot. Rovers deservedly pulled a goal back on 53 minutes, which seemed to knock the Pilgrims off their stride.

For a good 10-15 minutes the game turned into a very scrappy affair, with clear cut chances for either side at a premium, and lots of huffing and puffing and no real quality on display from either side. That is until the Pilgrims midfield began to get a hold of the ball again, and driven forward by the impressive Becky Atkins, started to dictate the final stages.

The three points were sealed 10 minutes from time when a swift counter attack found Pitman wide on the right. She cut inside and sent a right-footed shot goal-wards that crept under the keepers despairing dive to the relief of everybody dressed in green. 3-1 the final score, and perhaps a justified score considering the excellent first half display from the away side.

After the game, Argyle manager Ryan Thomas commented on his relief at simply playing a league game, and having the chance to get their title aspirations back on track.

He said: "After such a long lay-off it was great to have the cut and thrust of a competitive league game, and in the first half the girls met that challenge head-on. I thought they were magnificent early on.

"However, myself and the coaches felt that we lost our way a bit in the second half, mainly through being a little too direct on occasions instead of just keeping possession. Nevertheless I'm sure that will improve as we try and gain a bit of momentum over the next few weeks."

The Pilgrims are back in league action again next week with a home game against Swindon Town, who knocked them out of the FA Cup earlier in the season. Kick-off at Bolitho Park is 2.00pm with entrance just a pound.

Argyle: Tregale, Stroud, Hine, Aherne (Lewis 65mins), Rose, Lake (Barter 78mins), Atkins, Perrett, Kukor (Brooks 60mins), Roberts, Pitman