On The Chin

JOHN Sheridan was disappointed to see his Argyle side lose 2-0 to a Bury side similar in quality and ambition than the Greens.

After four consecutive wins, the most recent of which being a historic victory away to Exeter City, many would have expected the Pilgrims to continue their dominance against a team making a lengthy trip down to Home Park – but the Shakers had other ideas.

David Flitcroft’s visitors immediately looked to stamp their authority on the fixture, retaining possession and probing Argyle’s back line with intent in the opening 45 minutes, without finding an opener.

“In the first half, even though we probably created one or two better chances, I thought Bury were probably the better team possession-wise,” said John.

“But I was pleased with the way we came out in the second half. I thought we were well on top of the game, and the goal has just knocked us back, really.”

Indeed, Sheridan’s lads came out after the break looking to take control on their own turf, and appeared to make the breakthrough when Lewis Alessandra ended a goalmouth scramble by firing into the far corner, until the assistant referee flagged for offside.

“We were creating good chances,” said John. “Whether Lewi’s goal is offside, I don’t know. I have been told it wasn’t.

“If we would have scored when we were on top in the second half, the game would have been a totally different story. We were on top and created good chances, but you just need one of them to go in.

“I don’t think we played all that well today, but if we scored first I do believe we would’ve won the game.”

Any momentum the Greens maintained after the controversial decision from the linesman was well and truly quelled in the 62nd minute, as Nicky Adams lofted in an inch-perfect pass for Daniel Nardiello to head past Luke McCormick and open the scoring.

The expected push from Argyle for an equaliser came, but substitute Danny Rose put the game to bed shortly before stoppage time, getting in behind an advancing back line and placing his shot through the legs of the oncoming McCormick.

“Obviously it is a disappointing result,” said John. “I don’t think there was a lot between the two teams.

“We tried, and there was no lack of effort, but we didn’t really create any openings. I just felt as though we were doing the wrong things at the wrong time and not switching play, trying to disturb them.

“[Bury] were set up, they were solid and they have got one or two decent players. There was nothing between the two sides apart from the result.

“It’s hard to take as well when you are on top, then they have their first attack, really, and you’re 1-0 down, but that’s life.

“We have to take the result on the chin, but the disappointing thing is that it is against a team similar to ourselves, who are in the same position. Results haven’t gone our way today, so we just have to pick ourselves up.”