Argyle U18s 2 Portsmouth U18s 4

ARGYLE under 18s suffered their first defeat in their last seven Football League Youth Alliance games...

...and the defeat cost them any chance they had of overhauling league leaders Bournemouth.

It is some consolation that Kevin Hodges charges are guaranteed the runners-up spot in the South West Conference but it could have been more had they shown the same clinical finishing that had seen them thrash Cheltenham 6-0 in their last outing.

Louis Rooney had failed to convert two one-on-one situations before Pompey took a fortunate sixth minute lead when a cross hit Jeremy Tucker to fly past Michael Cooper.

Argyle came back with Ryan Lane and Jason Vincent both going close before Rooney saw an effort come back off the post.

Rooney had better luck on the half hour when his fine, low, drive flew into the far corner of the Pompey net but it was the visitors who finished the half strongly, scoring twice, to lead 3-1 at the break.

Argyle emerged from the interval a much stronger outfit but found themselves 4-1 down before they showed a fine fighting spirit to come back at Pompey and they were rewarded, 10 minutes from time, when Lane's free-kick come down off the underside of the crossbar for Liam Knowles to react well and head home.

Argyle: Mike Cooper, Billy Palfrey, Callum Hall, Will Sargent, Owen Jones, Tom Moxham (Callum Rose 65), Josh Richards (Connor McAuley 65), Jack Calver, Jason Vincent (Kieran Bishop 70), Louis Rooney, Ryan Lane.