ARGYLE lost the first Westcountry Derby of the season but regained the pride they had lost at Bloomfield Road four days earlier.
Unlike the 2-0 defeat by Blackpool at the weekend, the 3-1 reversal by Bristol City on Tuesday was an unjust outcome for the effort put in by the Pilgrims.
All four goals came in a 10-minute burst midway through the second half. Danny Haynes gave City the lead, only for Jamie Mackie to equalise with a spectacular goal 60 seconds later; almost immediately Jamie McCombe put City ahead again; and Nicky Maynard increased the advantage soon afterwards.
Argyle manager Paul Sturrock said: "Several times this year, I have felt heart-sorry for the lads. It seems, every time, we get a kick in the teeth.
"People will look at the result and come to the wrong conclusion. The content showed we are better than that."
"I've been trying to get a settled back four and I thought we looked a bit stronger tonight but, when push came to shove as far as somebody picking up didn't pick up, we end up losing a goal.
"We get back in it then someone is lacking in concentration for a minute straight after the goal. Had we handled five minutes of it, I think we would have sauntered out 1-1.
"It's unlike any team I have been involved with. We just seem to get to stage where we have zany moments, but, again, it's not having a settled back four, not having a confident back four.
"I thought the two full-backs were excellent; I thought Shane [Lowry] did well; I couldn't blame any of them. But, then again, a set-piece kills us."
Luggy had given Ashley Barnes a first start of the season, to partner goalscorer Mackie up front, and recalled midfielders Alan Judge.
"[Ashley] worked his tail off," said Luggy. "He did all the right things for us. He worked the shape very well, linked us up, had a few shots. It would be great if he could get a goal, something to latch on to.
"I thought the front two, for the service they got, did well; made bad balls good balls; always had an edge to them.
"The width players needed to be freshened up. I thought Judgy did well, and Clarky.
"It was a hundred miles better than Saturday, a hundred years better than Saturday. It showed Saturday was what I described it as - it definitely was something with the preparation that cost us dear on Saturday.
"We were up to the pace tonight; we were sharp all over the pitch."
The game represented the first chance for new head coach Paul Mariner to see the Pilgrims in action, and Luggy said: "He was very impressed by our hard work, and shape and organisation. There's a lot to work on.
"He's had a wee taste; he's had a wee look; and it's back to reality as far as crossed balls into the box goes.
"He'll be involved in training this week. The content will be a discussion between him and I, but he's come here to coach. I will give him criterias of what I'm looking for and he's going to push on with that."
Mariner's Home Park second coming will be against another of his former clubs, Ipswich Town, on Saturday - Championship second bottom v bottom.
"A huge game," said Luggy. "This is how football is in this day and age.
"We have just got to get the three points on Saturday."
Rick Cowdery
