The Ryan Game

The Argyle forward’s 81st-minute strike against Cambridge United, when he slammed home a loose ball after Bobby Reid’s shot had been saved, unlocked stubborn opposition resistance and paved the way for a 2-0 win that kept the Pilgrims in the Sky Bet League 2 play-off zone after previous wins against Accrington and Wycombe.

“It’s a striker’s instinct, I guess, to follow the ball in,” said Ryan. “Bobby’s had a half-decent shot and it’s fallen to me. It’s one of those that’s easier to miss than score, but it hit the back of the net.

“I’m delighted. The boys have had a brilliant week, a really positive week, with three wins on the bounce. It’s looking good at the moment.”

In-form forward Lewi Alessandra hit Argyle’s second three minutes later and Ryan paid tribute to Lewi and Reuben Reid for their work which laid the groundwork for the victory.

He said: “Cambridge are a good team - they want to pass the ball; they want to dominate the possession – so it was tough. The lads up front have had a couple of tough games, and they’ve pushed them back and pushed them back, and fresh legs have come on and we’ve scored the goal.”

Ryan’s previous Argyle goal was in a defeat at Hartlepool three matches ago which left an air of doom and gloom hanging over Home Park that has now disappeared.

“The players were a bit down, but now it’s certainly changed round,” he said. “Players have come back and are getting fit, and we have got a big squad to choose from which is causing the manager problems, I guess, but that’s a healthy thing and it’s proved that today.”