Fight Club

ARGYLE manager John Sheridan heralded his players’ fighting spirit after Tuesday night’s Devon Derby at Torquay ended with honours even at 1-1.

Reuben Reid’s fifth goal in three matches – a ninth-minute penalty – equalised Elliot Benyon’s opener for the home side three minutes earlier and extended the Pilgrims’ unbeaten run to eight matches.

There were no further goals, and Argyle’s defence had to be at its solid and most parsimonious best to keep an eager Torquay side at bay.

“Credit to Torquay,” said John. “They were in our face and didn’t allow us to try to play. They put us on the back foot with early balls up to the front men, and we had to do the ugly things.

“We battled away and I thought the back four and the ’keeper worked their socks off to keep us in the game.

“It was a good battling performance. We are still unbeaten in eight. Three or four weeks ago, we might have lost that; last season, we might have lost that, but you can see the desire to try to get something out of each game.

“We dug in and we got a point. I think we deserved a point. You can see the lads are fighting for each other.

“It was a typical derby. I don’t think it was a great game to watch but there was lots of effort from both sets of players. There wasn’t much quality football but I think both teams put 100% in.

“I’ve watched derbies and played in them and sometimes you just don’t get the football you want from them.”