Clean Sheet Bonus
CLEAN sheets have been something of a rare commodity for the Pilgrims in 2018-19, but their 0-0 draw at Bradford City saw them chalk up a third shut-out since the turn of the year.
The stalemate maintained Argyle’s healthy record of one defeat in their last nine games, which has seen them rise from bottom of Sky Bet League One to 15th place.
“If, earlier on in the season, we did then what we did today, we would be in a far better position,” said manager Derek Adams afterwards. “We've come away to Bradford, we take a point and move on.
Chief among the Pilgrims who contributed to frustrating a home attack for the second successive away game, following a 1-0 win at Peterborough, was goalkeeper Kyle Letheren.
The Yorkshire-based Welshman capped a fine series of saves by denying Eoin Doyle late in the game.
Derek said: “He was going backwards, and it was an important save at that moment in time, because Bradford were in the ascendancy. It was a good header at the back post and he was able to claw it away.”
On the only occasion when Bradford did get the better of Kyle, through David Ball late in the game, defender Niall Canavan was on hand to make a vital block.
“We got caught at the back post and shouldn't have allowed them in there in the first instance,” said Derek, “but Niall did really well to cover his team-mates and knock the ball away for a corner.”
Bradford’s late surges were all a far cry from the opening 45 minutes, when the Pilgrims looked the team most likely to break the deadlock.
Derek said: “We were just on top of the game; we had a good bit of pressure. Graham [Carey] hit the post; we had another couple of good opportunities; and a goal chalked off for offside.
“First half was more us; second half was more Bradford.”