Argyle fell to defeat against Huddersfield Town at Accu Stadium in Sky Bet League One.
Bojan Radulovic’s late first-half strike gave the hosts the advantage before Dion Charles and substitute Cameron Ashia sealed the deal in the second-half for the Terriers.
Lorent Tolaj managed a late consolation for the Greens, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit.
Tom Cleverley opted to make four changes to the side that lost against Wycombe Wanderers in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup last weekend.
In the defence there was one change, Alex Mitchell was replaced by Brendan Galloway.
The base of midfield saw Malachi Boateng preferred to play alongside Law McCabe, with Caleb Roberts and Jamie Paterson dropping to the bench.
Bali Mumba was another who came out of the side, Owen Oseni was selected as the more orthodox forward to play just behind Tolaj.
There was quite a stop-start nature to the opening period of the game, neither side able to create any momentum or chances of note.
There was an interesting quirk in the formation; when Cleverley’s side did not have the ball, Dale pushed forward to pressure further up the left flank. This meant that the defence shifted across to form a makeshift back four of Sorinola, Szucs, Ross, and Galloway from right to left.
It was ex-Pilgrim Mickel Miller who had the first chance of note for Huddersfield. The winger evaded Sorinola inside the Greens’ six-yard box and headed a tame effort at goal. Hazard managed to gather the loose ball well, with Charles sniffing around for a tap-in.
Hazard was called into action again not too long after, Ruben Rooskin’s corner was well met by Josh Feeney and forced the Greens’ stopper to push his header over the bar.
The resulting corner fostered another chance for the hosts. Rooskin’s delivery was only cleared as far as Marcus Harness, who took aim from the edge of the penalty area and came close to firing into the top-left corner.
These chances gave Huddersfield momentum, and they continued to create dangerous opportunities until finally they broke the deadlock.
Ben Wiles’ precise through ball dissected the Argyle defence, offering Charles time inside the box to pick out a teammate. Radulovic did well to keep himself onside and find space inside a congested penalty area; the finish was a simple one past Hazard, who was left with no chance.
Cleverley’s side went into the interval trailing despite some good periods in the first-half. However, the hosts had the better of the chances, particularly as the half drew to a close, and it felt as though it was a case of when they would score, not if.
Mumba replaced Oseni at half-time, coming on to play in one of the attacking-midfield roles in support of Tolaj.
It did not take too long for Huddersfield to create another good opportunity. Once again the creator, Charles kept possession well and teed up Miller to shoot from a tight angle; his effort stung the gloves of Hazard.
Recently-returned loanee Joe Hatch was introduced on the hour mark as a makeshift wing-back, taking the place of Dale.
Huddersfield did not hesitate when their next opportunity presented itself, Charles turning scorer.
Rooskin’s corner caused chaos inside the crowded penalty area, and after numerous deflections, the ball dropped in the path of Charles who was able to slot the ball into an empty net from just yards out.
There was a response required from the Greens, but it was hard to come by with the hosts proving difficult to break down.
Substitute Ashia, who had looked a threat ever since his introduction, found a third for Huddersfield impressively.
The winger received the ball on the left flank and drove at Szucs; after jinking in and then out he took aim and curled an effort from the edge of the penalty area past Hazard’s outstretched glove.
Tolaj found a consolation in the final minutes for Argyle when Mumba’s cross was allowed to bounce, and the striker guided his header past Owen Goodman.
In response, there were two more substitutions for the Greens, Caleb Roberts and Brendan Wiredu took the places of Sorinola and McCabe.
However, this was too little too late as Cleverley’s side were unable to overturn the deficit and fell to defeat in the North East.
Argyle face Bristol Rovers midweek in the Vertu Trophy, before having a free weekend due to the visit of Bradford City being rearranged.
Huddersfield: 1 Owen Goodman, 2 Lasse Sørensen, 4 Ryan Ledson (capt), 8 Ben Wiles (24 Leo Castledine, 76), 10 Marcus Harness, 11 Ruben Roosken (7 Lynden Gooch, 76), 12 Radinio Balker (23 Sean Roughan, 66), 14 Mickel Miller (36 Cameron Ashia, 66), 15 Dion Charles, 20 Josh Feeney, 25 Bojan Radulovic (9 Joe Taylor, 90). Substitutes: 22 Lee Nicholls (gk), 38 Daniel Vost.
Goals: Radulovic 45, Charles 70, Ashia 86
Booked: 20 Feeney, Gooch 89
Argyle: 1 Conor Hazard (capt), 2 Mathias Ross, 6 Kornel Szucs, 9 Lorent Tolaj, 18 Owen Oseni (11 Bali Mumba, 46), 19 Malachi Boateng, 20 Law McCabe (4 Brendan Wiredu, 90+2), 22 Brendan Galloway, 23 Bradley Ibrahim (7 Jamie Paterson, 76), 29 Matty Sorinola (24 Caleb Roberts, 90+2), 35 Owen Dale (38 Joe Hatch, 61). Substitutes: 21 Luca Ashby-Hammond (gk), 15 Alex Mitchell.
Goals: Tolaj 88
Booked: Dale 6, Boateng 13, Szucs 37, Ibrahim 54, Ross 58, Tolaj 89
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
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