Cheers, Luke

GRAHAM Carey thanked team-mate Luke McCormick for securing a draw which kept the Pilgrims perched on the shoulders of Sky Bet League 2 leaders Leyton Orient.

Luke, 32, preserved a 1-1 home draw against Bristol Rovers when, late into injury-time, he made a magnificent flying save to turn away Ellis Harrison’s point-blank header.

The twisting stop was more remarkable given that Luke was still suffering the after effects of a jarring collision with Harrison, when the Rovers’ substitute’s knee impacted with the Argyle custodian’s face and neck. The collision resulted in a 90th-minute penalty from which Harrison levelled Jake Jervis’s strike five minutes earlier.

Graham said: “After getting the head-knock, having his wits about him to push [the ball] over the bar was crucial and I think he’s earned us a point.

“He’s top class. Even in training, he’s top class. He carries himself well and is a good leader. We are lucky to have him at this level.”

There was some debate about whether the collision which led to the penalty was accidental, but, in any event, Graham felt it should not have had any bearing on the result.

“I think Luke felt that the boy [Harrison] kicked him, rather than [Luke] collide with him,” he said. “It looks blatant but probably, on the replay, it is not as blatant.

“If we take our chances, we should be well ahead. If you don’t take your chances in this league, you get punished and, as I just said, with Luke’s save at the end, we were lucky to get the point.”