Plymouth Argyle forced to settle for a point in battle to avoid drop

ARGYLE failed to score for the fourth game out of their last five at Home Park as they drew with Bradford last night.

The result moved the Pilgrims off the bottom of the League Two table, above Accrington Stanley on goal difference, and up to 23rd.

Accrington lost 3-0 to Fleetwood Town, who will be the visitors to Home Park on Saturday.

Argyle's main attacking threat came from Crystal Palace loan signing Jason Banton and he came closest to scoring for them early in the second half.

Banton fired a 51st minute shot against the near post and the ball rebounded away to safety.

Bradford came on strong after that with a powerful blast from striker Garry Thompson hitting the top of the bar.

But neither team could break the stalemate and the game ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Argyle's new loan signing Joe Bryan went straight into the starting line-up for the visit of Bradford.

The 19-year-old had completed a move from Championship club Bristol City earlier in the day.

There was also a recall for Paul Wotton, who played at centre-back in the absence of the injured Anthony Charles.

The 35-year-old slotted into the side alongside former Bradford defender Guy Branston.

It was Wotton's 468th appearance for the Pilgrims and moved him into third position on his own in Argyle's all-time list.

Charles was ruled out by a groin injury he suffered in the 2-1 defeat away to table-topping Gillingham on Saturday.

Bryan played on the left of midfield, with Banton given an attacking role behind striker Reuben Reid in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Bradford arrived at Home Park in 11th position in the table but still with a shot of securing a play-off spot.

Their side showed six changes from the 1-1 draw at home to Aldershot Town, and there were some surprise omissions.

Among the substitutes were top scorer Nahki Wells, regular captain Gary Jones and former Argyle loanee Will Atkinson.

Argyle had the first chance in the seventh minute when midfielder Andres Gurrieri shot over the bar after a left-wing cross from Reid.

Moments later, Bradford had a tremendous lead to take the lead through Garry Thompson.

The City striker looked offside but no flag was raised and he had a one-on-one with Cole, the Argyle 'keeper.

However, Cole spread his body and made a crucial save, with the ball bouncing out for a corner.

Banton had a fierce strike fumbled by Bradford 'keeper Matt Duke in the 24th minute and, seconds later, he set up Gurrieri for a good chance.

Gurrieri's first-time shot beat Duke but it was cleared away by City left-back Carl McHugh from inside the six-yard area.

Argyle conceded a number of free-kicks inside their own territory but Bradford did not capitalise on any of them.

Gurrieri got on the ball a lot for the Pilgrims and crashed a 30-yard drive over the bar in the 3oth minute.

Cole easily saved a looping, close range header from City striker Andy Gray and also safely held onto a curling 25-yard free-kick from midfielder Kyel Reid.

An excellent pass from midfielder Lee Cox released Argyle captain Conor Hourihane inside the Bradford penalty area in the 43rd minute but he was bravely tackled by McHugh.

Branston was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for a crunching tackle on Thompson on the stroke of half-time.

The final action of the first half saw McHugh head wide from a corner taken by midfielder Zavon Hines.

Argyle nearly opened the scoring in the 51st minute after some trickery on the ball from Banton saw him create a chance for himself.

It was from a tight angle and his shot had plenty of power behind it but it hit the near post and rebounded away.

Banton was again proving to be Argyle's main attacking threat with his good close control and strong running.

The on-loan Crystal Palace had another low shot saved by Duke in the 58th minute.

McHugh then headed wide from a corner taken by City midfielder Michael Doyle as the stalemate continued.

Banton had a dipping 25-yard shot from distance saved by Duke after a free-kick was rolled short to him by Gurrieri.

Bradford thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 66th minute for a foul on Reid by Argyle right-back Maxime Blanchard.

Referee Andy Davies ruled that the offence took place on the edge of the penalty area.

Blanchard needed lengthy treatment from physio Paul Atkinson and was booked when he eventually got up.

Argyle's first substitution came in the 69th minute when Reid was replaced by Nick Chadwick.

Wotton fired wide from a long-range free-kick after a foul on Chadwick in a central position by Rory McArdle.

Banton curled the ball deep to the far post in the 77th minute but a sliding Gurrieri could not get there in time and it went out of play for a goal kick.

Atkinson was sent on as a 78th minute substitute for Bradford with Hines the one to make way for him.

Moments later, Thompson crashed a 20-yard shot against the top of the bar after a miscued attempted clearance by Cox.

Bradford were pushing hard to take the lead and Reid's powerful shot was beaten away by Cole.

It broke to City substitute James Hanson and his follow-up attempt deflected wide for a corner.

Cole made another save, at the second attempt, from Bradford's third substitute Alan Connell as Argyle came under heavy pressure.

The Pilgrims made a double change in the 86th minute with Paris Cowan-Hall and Tyler Harvey replacing Gurrieri and Bryan respectively.

Six minutes of stoppage time were added on after a series of injuries, with Connell having a tame shot easily held onto by Cole.

Argyle left-back Onismor Bhasera put a clearance over his own bar after a left-wing cross from Hanson.

There was late drama when Harvey chased after a long punt forward and looked to have fouled Duke as the Bradford 'keeper tried to catch the ball.

However, Davies did not blow his whistle and both Harvey and Chadwick tried to stab the ball into the net, only to be denied by McHugh.

Although it did not end up in a goal Bradford's players still surrounded Davies at full-time to protest at his decision not to award a free-kick for a foul on Duke.