Craig's Lists

CRAIG Tanner, who scored Argyle's second goal of the game against derby rivals Exeter City, says that Tuesday's win was the teams best performance of the season so far.

Argyle's 5,000th competitive game was in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in a clash that saw the Pilgrims win 2-0 thanks to goals from Hiram Boateng and a beautiful solo effort from Tanner to seal the game. 

Craig, on loan from Reading, was not only content with the performance, but also the atmosphere generated for this 101st derby between the sides.

"The lads were talking to me throughout the week saying how big a game it is," said Craig. "How many fans come and watch and the atmosphere would be like nothing I've seen before, I can't really say they were wrong to be honest.

"When I walked out the tunnel you could just hear the noise; it was something special, it gave me goosebumps. I just had that feeling like I knew I was going to have a good game." 

Boateng began the scoring for the Greens with his second goal in as many games, heading home just before half-time, from Craig's right wing corner. 

"He's not renowned for his heading," said Craig. "I was actually joking before the game saying you've got to do everything the same, everything the same, be really superstitious.I just managed to stick it on H's head, lucky enough it went in." 

Tanner, who was playing in place of the injured Graham Carey, filled the Irishman's position with a man-of-the-match performance, and a goal that would not have been out of place in Carey's already extensive Argyle goals portfolio. 

Peter Hartley broke up an Exeter attack and gave the ball to Tanner. The attacker takes up the story: "I just drove and drove at the player and I could feel the goal on my right shoulder so I kept the ball on my left and drove into the box, I dropped it on my right shoulder then cut in on my stronger foot and passed it in the corner." 

It was the second time this season Tanner pulled out a special goal in a cup tie at Home Park, following his right-foot volley against Gillingham in the Capital One Cup. As good as the goal was in an exciting derby clash, Tanner still thinks his goal against the Gills has been his best in his career so far. "I think my goal against Gillingham still is my favourite due to the fact it was with my peg leg and I do very rarely see it used. I don't think I've ever hit it like that.

"It's close because of the atmosphere and the occasion and everything - it's a close second."