ARGYLE travelled to Hillsborough defending a 20-year unbeaten record at Sheffield Wednesday's famous old home.
After three crucial midweek points were prised away from fellow relegation strugglers Derby County, Paul Mariner opted against any changes as Argyle searched for a fourth pair of back-to-back wins to inch closer to a place outside the drop zone.
Wednesday, too, were unchanged despite a 2-0 defeat at Scunthorpe on Wednesday - Alan Irvine's first dropped points in four matches since taking the Owls' hot seat 22 days ago.
The fixture marked a second appearance for newly recruited goalkeeper David Stockdale, and the first time since August 2008 Argyle had started away from Home Park without Romain Larrieu between the sticks.
Stockdale was looking for another clean sheet after a successful Argyle debut, and eight minutes had passed before he finally got a feel for the ball by which time messrs Mackie, Judge and Fallon all had half-chances without testing Lee Grant at the other end.
Continued early Pilgrim pressure meant the on-loan Fulham stopper was not tested until the 18th minute, when an in-swinging corner caused problems for Stockdale, and the Greens were fortunate to escape with a goal-kick as the ball somehow escaped a diversion on its way through.
But, as is so often the way in football, just as Wednesday seemed to be getting a foot-hold on the game, Argyle pounced and took the lead through a deflected Rory Fallon header from Alan Judge's left-wing corner.
Just as Argyle began thinking of extending Wednesday's Hillsborough jinx, the home side drew level straight from kick-off. Luke Varney got a toe to the ball in front of Kari Arnason, and it rolled agonisingly between Stockdale's legs to bring the game back to all square.
It was the home team's first attempt on goal, and they were level.
It was the first time Leeds-born Stockdale had retrieved the ball from his own net in an Argyle jersey, doing so on his return to his home county having started out at York City seven years ago.
When putting pen to paper on a one-month deal at Home Park, 24-year-old Stockdale might have been anticipating a busier time in the Argyle goal, but before making a save all afternoon, David conceded a second three minutes before the break.
Varney again had the beating of the normally so solid Arnason down Argyle's right channel, before firing across the goalkeeper and just inside the far post. It was a finish full of quality, and perhaps one of interest to Derby County fans, with Varney on loan from Argyle's previous opponents, who failed in 90 minutes to do what the striker had done twice inside the first half.
Hardly fair, but as we have all realised this season more than most - football often isn't.
The second half began with an increasing shadow looming over the vast four sides of Hillsborough on an afternoon mixed with sunshine and a bitter Yorkshire chill in the air.
It was down to the Pilgrims to repeat a feat only achieved once this season - claiming at least a point having been behind in a game. Unfortunately, QPR defender Kaspars Gorkss was on home fixture duty and unavailable for bailing-out duties this time.
It was proving an afternoon to forget for Wednesday fans, oddly, with their team leading, but with the entire first quarter of an hour of the second half being played deep in home territory, Argyle just needed that elusive opportunity to draw level.
It was nearly provided following some neat interplay down the Argyle left between Clark and Mackie, but the latter's driven centre was just diverted behind for a corner in the nick of time, as Wednesday hung on by their finger nails to their precious lead.
After 25 minutes of second half action, there was still nothing for loanee Stockdale to do but stand, watch and hope, along with the pocket of Argyle supporters behind the opposite goal.
A change in formation to 4-3-3 followed with the departure of the lively Judge for Bradley Wright-Phillips with just one message from the manager: get me that equaliser.
But, despite the ever-growing Argyle pressure, it was hard to say Lee Grant had been much busier than Stockdale. For all Green endeavours, very little was being created. But you sensed it could be, and the anxiety of the home supporters suggested so too.
With time ticking down and chances at a premium, Reda Johnson took matters into his own hands with a diving header into the body of Grant in a vain attempt to force goalkeeper - and more importantly ball - over the line.
It didn't work. Reda stayed down injured, avoided a booking and rejoined the action amid a chorus of jeers from three sides of Hillsborough.
The time had come for substitute number two and the introduction of Craig Noone, as Mariner went all-out for a point to travel home with.
Two wasted corners, much huffing and puffing but no meaningful chances later, Argyle were beaten. Harshly beaten it must be said, but in many ways it was a case of same old story.
Effort… Check. Desire… Check. Quality… Lacking.
It's a long way home from Hillsborough.
It's even longer without an away point for the first time in two decades.
Mark Perrow
