Football: SUPER SUBS

IAN STONEBRIDGE and Martin Phillips stepped off the substitute's bench to score late goals and hand Plymouth a crucial 2-1 victory over Port Vale.

Stephen McPhee looked to have posed another question mark against Argyle's title credentials as he slotted home to give play-off- chasing Vale the lead in the 53rd minute, but Phillips and then Stonebridge had the last word.

Argyle boss Paul Sturrock said: "This could be the biggest game of the season for us. When we look back at the season this could be the turning point."

Vale boss Martin Foyle said: "I am absolutely devastated for the lads. They worked hard as a back eight and, although we rode our luck at times, I thought we were worth a point. I do wonder where the five minutes of injury time came from."

Argyle were desperate to get their title bid back on track, and they came out all guns blazing, forcing a corner after 90 seconds. Nathan Lowndes went close after five minutes as Plymouth dictated, with a snap-shot that flew just wide.

Port Vale were struggling to clear their lines and the chances continued to come for the hosts as David Norris fired wide from distance.

The midfielder almost broke the deadlock in the 12th minute as he cracked a thumping effort against the woodwork, with Jonny Brain beaten in the Vale goal. From the rebound, Micky Evans failed to add to his eight League goals this term as his follow-up was blocked.

The visitors finally came to life midway through the half, but Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's effort was well saved by Luke McCormick. But Plymouth continued to look lively and Lowndes again went close as Brain held onto his drive from the edge of the area.

Argyle knew a goal just before the break would give them a lift as Evans attempted an ambitious overhead kick. Then Hasney Aljofree and Norris both failed to hit the target as Vale held firm to the interval.

It looked as though it would be the same story as the second period got underway as Plymouth went close again, this time through Paul Connelly, but again Brain was up to the task. But Vale then turned the game on its head in the 53rd minute as Stephen Brooker slung in a cross from the right and McPhee coolly slotted home from close range.

Sturrock made a double substitution after 65 minutes with Phillips and Stonebridge introduced to the action - an inspired decision which soon paid dividends.

Livewire midfielder Phillips had already had a close-range shot brilliantly blocked by George Pilkington moments after his arrival, but he made no mistake when the ball fell to his feet after Evans whipped in a cross from the left.

That set up the hosts' late flourish as Evans and Blair Sturrock again called Brain into action in the dying minutes. But, deep into injury time, Phillips crossed and Stonebridge fired home to give Argyle a win that keeps them firmly in the title hunt.

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