Plymouth Argyle 0 Sunderland 0: Story of the day as Alex Neil's side move back into the League One play-off places

Sunderland were held to a goalless draw against play-off rivals Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.
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The result moved the Black Cats back into the League One play-off places with three games remaining, and their fate remains in their own hands.

Wycombe were also held to a 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon which keeps the Chairboys level on points with Sunderland having played a game more

The Black Cats will now prepare for Saturday’s home game against Cambridge, before matches against Rotherham and Morecambe.

Here’s how the game played out:

RECAP: Plymouth 0 Sunderland 0

Key Events

  • Sunderland XI: Patterson, Winchester, Wright, Cirkin, O’Nien (Gooch, 75), Matete (Neil, 80), Evans, Clarke, Embleton (Roberts, 76), Broadhead, Stewart
  • Subs: Burge, Batth, Hume, Xhemajli, Gooch, Neil, Roberts
  • Plymouth XI: Cooper, Wilson, Gillesphey, Scarr, Grant, Sessesnon, Camara (Randell, 66), Houghton, Mayor, Ennis (Jephcott, 76), Hardie (Garrick, 82)
  • Subs: Burton, Law, Crichlow, Broom, Randell, Garrick, Jephcott

80’ SUBSTITUTION: ON: Neil - OFF: Matete

Final change for the visitors.

76’ SUBSTITUTION: ON: Roberts OFF: Embleton

Second change for Sunderland.

Plymouth have also brought on Luke Jephcott for Ennis.

75’ SUBSTITUTION: ON: Gooch OFF: O’Nien

Gooch is on for the visitors.

73’ Broadhead not happy

Sunderland are starting to increase the pressure now.

A O’Nien cross from the right was going towards Broadhead, who felt his shirt was being pulled by Gillesphey.

The Sunderland striker was complaining to the linesman but nothing was given.

That was close.

Plymouth nearly took the lead there as Mayor cut inside of O’Nien on the left and set up Grant whose shot was deflected wide for a corner.

The game is just picking up again after a couple of stoppages.

Clarke and O’Nien have also switched flanks.

66’ First change of the match

Camera is making way to be replaced by Adam Randell.

63’ A break in play

There’s a break in play with Camara down after a challenge from Matete.

59’ CIRKIN BOOKED

That could have been the opener for Sunderland.

Cirkin did well to carry the ball out of defence and send a cross to the back post which Broadhead directed across goal, but there was no one there to convert.

From the resulting corner Plymouth broke away, forcing Cirkin to foul Ennis and pick up a yellow card.

54’ Better from Sunderland

50’ Chance for Broadhead

The forward has been looking to stretch the home defence all game and was played through on goal by Evans there.

Broadhead’s low shot from a tight angle was saved by the leg of Cooper before O’Nien miskicked the rebound.