A clinical first-half display from Portsmouth left a rotated Argyle Under-18s side with too much to do in the final 45 minutes, as the Young Pilgrims suffered a 3-0 defeat on the road.
Kyran Sylvanus’ brace and a goal from Brandon Downey gave Pompey all three points in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.
Argyle have now suffered defeats to Portsmouth and Exeter City in the competition but have games against Watford and Bristol Rovers to get their campaign back on track.
Head Coach Jamie Lowry made six changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw to Cardiff City in the PDL Cup.
In goal, Leo McCormick replaced Thomas Armytage, who featured on the bench for Argyle’s first team against Crystal Palace Under-21s.
Jovan Wamani and Toby MacLean retained their positions at the back, with Deniz Doru and Corey Browne replacing Sam Hayman and Dylan Williams.
Wingers Harry Locke and Marley-Blu Francis took the places of Seb Campbell, who played and scored against Palace, and Tashall Sandhu – leaving Joel Tolcher and Billy Devlin to pair up in the middle of the park.
Up top, Frankie Maund kept his place in the side but was partnered by Emran Boudarga-Wischhoff, instead of James Sharpe.
Portsmouth started fast and would have taken the lead inside the first 10 minutes if McCormick had not made a great save down to his left to deny Sylvanus from close-range.
Argyle responded well with an opportunity of their own. Maund cut into the 18-yard box following a mazy run down the right wing and produced a powerful left-footed strike, forcing Reuben Allen to make an early stop.
The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute through Sylvanus’ back-post header, following a pinpoint delivery from Downey.
Sylvanus continued to cause the Argyle defence problems as Pompey piled the pressure on, eventually resulting in Browne being shown a first-half yellow card for taking the striker down to prevent a fast counter-attack.
Shortly before the break, Sylvanus doubled his tally for the afternoon, converting a rebounded shot with McCormick still recovering from an earlier save.
The Young Pilgrims made an improved start to the second half, limiting their opponents to fewer goalscoring opportunities.
Despite Lowry opting to use usual starters Sandhu, Sharpe and Williams during the second half, Argyle were unable to make a comeback.
The Greens’ best chance came courtesy of substitute Sandhu, who won numerous free-kicks in attacking areas after coming on in the 56th minute.
He had an opportunity to score in stoppage time, when he attempted to curl one into the top-right corner after receiving Tolcher’s rebounded shot on the edge of the box.
“I am disappointed with the performance,” said Lowry. “We did not show the game enough respect. We made some changes because it was a cup game, and it felt like some of the lads thought we were just here to turn up and not have to do anything to win the game.
“We had nowhere near enough intensity. In possession, we were not good enough against a really good and competitive Portsmouth side.
“I trust all the boys and I will happily play every single one of them. There is no stronger and weaker side, and everyone has the opportunity to play and earn their shirt. If they play well, they keep the shirt, and if they do not, then someone else will have the opportunity to come and get it.
“But I am hoping that the lads will learn a lot from today – that is what they are here for after all.
“Let’s not get too downbeat. We have had a really good start to the season. We will have bad performances here and there, and we will make mistakes, but our level of application has got to stay at a level that is acceptable for Plymouth Argyle Under-18s.”
Argyle will now turn their heads to Saturday, when they return to Youth Alliance League action to take on Cambridge United.
Argyle: 23 Leo McCormick, 2 Jovan Wamani (12 Dylan Williams, 76’), 3 Corey Browne, 4 Joel Tolcher, 5 Deniz Doru, 6 Toby MacLean, 7 Marley-Blu Francis, 8 Billy Devlin (capt), 9 Frankie Maund (15 James Sharpe, 64’), 10 Emran Boudarga-Wischhoff, 11 Harry Locke (14 Tashall Sandhu, 56’).
Yellow card: Browne 28.