Banton at the Double

Ryan Brunt added the third goal to leave the Pilgrims requiring at most a single point from their final group game at Cheltenham later this month to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

The match, which was watched by manager John Sheridan, marked the return to competitive action of Pilgrims' forward Matt Lecointe, who has suffered an injury-ravaged two seasons.  

Midfielder Olly Lee was also included in the Argyle starting line-up following his re-engagement by the Pilgrims on loan from Birmingham City.

The home side took a first-half lead through a penalty after a foul from Dominic Blizzard, but Banton leveled seven minutes before half-time when the City goalkeeper failed to Tyler Harvey's powerful shot.

The Pilgrims, who took Lee Cox off after half-an-hour because of a tight groin, went ahead after an hour, when Brunt converted a cross by Mason Hughes with a fine header.

Brunt then gave way to Lecointe, who twice went close to marking his comeback in the grand manner with long-range shots that went narrowly wide. 

The points were made safe 15 minutes from time when Banton fired home a low shot to complete a satisfactory afternoon for the Pilgrims. 

Argyle (4-4-2): 1 James Bittner; 2 Mason Hughes 5 River Allen, 11 Dominic Blizzard, 3 Ben Purrington; 7 Olly Lee (17 Jason Vincent 65), 6 Ollie Norburn, 10 Tyler Harvey, 4 Lee Cox (14 Callum Hall 30); 9 Ryan Brunt (Matt Lecointe 65), 8 Jason Banton. Substitutes (not used): 15 Will Sargent, 16 Tom Moxham.