Seeing Red

ARGYLE’S world was turned upside down in the Potteries in less than a minute before they succumbed to a 4-0 defeat at Port Vale.

After a promising opening in the backyard of the npower League 2’s second-best team, the Pilgrims went behind to Jennison Myrie-Williams’ 31st-minuite opener, and, within seconds, Nick Chadwick was shown a red card after clashing with Ashley Vincent.

“We started quite brightly,” said joint caretaker manager Kevin Nancekivell.

“The lads were starting to put into place what we had been working on during the week, and we were quite comfortable.

“The sending-off changed the game and hasn’t helped us. Against a team like Port Vale who have got some match-winners, it was always going to be a tough task.”

Nance had no view of the sending-off, which occurred following an off-the-ball incident.

“You are going to smile at me, but I haven’t seen it,” he said.

“I hope he hasn’t done it. If he hasn’t, I’ll back him all the way, but, if he has, then there’s a lot of lads who’ve had to do a lot of running today.”

The incident appeared to be a replica of one that occurred in the opening seconds of the match.

“I didn’t see that, either,” said Kevin “We all turned around and said: ‘What happened there?’ Let’s wait and see what comes up.”

Despite the reduction in numbers, Kevin felt Argyle could get something out of the game if they did not concede early in the second half, but those hopes were dashed when Tom Pope scored the first of his two goals.

Nance said: “I am disappointed with the second goal, ten minutes into the second half.

“If we could have hung in there, I would have fancied us to get a chance, but it didn’t work out like that. You have to fight on and move on.

They have got match-winners; they have got two wide players who are very quick and some goalscorers; and a big pitch - it was always going to be difficult, and we had a few tired bodies out there.”