The Kelvin Scale

KELVIN Mellor ran the gamut of emotions at the Pirelli Stadium as Argyle came from behind to earn a 1-1 Sky Bet League 2 draw against Burton Albion.

The Pilgrims’ defender saw Argyle lines breached for the first time in more than a month when former Home Park hero Alex MacDonald give the home side a 32nd-minute lead.

However, Reuben Reid levelled midway through the second half of a see-saw game, netting a penalty after he had been fouled by Phil Edwards.

“It was gutting, conceding a goal,” said Kevin, “but it was only a matter of time – no team keeps a clean sheet for a full season so we can’t expect not to be conceding goals. But it was only one and we got a point in the end, a well-earned point.

“You go one down and it knocks the stuffing out of you. Then we scored and we sort of believed again and thought ‘maybe we can win this’. It was a good point.

“We weren’t at our best today – we know that – but we grinded and stuck together and ended up with a point, so we’re happy.”

That happiness almost disappeared with five minutes to go, when Burton substitute Adam McGurk’s close-in header seemed destined to send Argyle home empty-handed.

However, goalkeeper Luke McCormick made a magnificent save to keep Argyle in the match.

“Your heart goes in your throat, “ said Kelvin, “but, once he made that save, we thought maybe we needed to keep it a bit tighter at the back and stop the crosses, and we did so and held out.

“[Luke]’s played a lot of games and to have a ’keeper that’s got a lot of experience and talks a lot to you makes the game a lot, lot easier.”

Thoughts now turn away from the league and to the FA Cup, with Northern Conference leaders AFC Fylde visiting Home Park on Saturday.

“They are flying,” said Kelvin. “It’s a game we just can’t walk into and think we’re going to win – we need to perform properly and do it the professional way.”