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.

Paul Sturrock had warned his charges before the game that results had to improve if his side were to maintain their championship hopes and, after Phillips had levelled on 80 minutes, Stonebridge sent the home fans wild with a dramatic injury-time winner. Argyle were desperate to get their title campaign back on track, and they came out all guns blazing, forcing a corner within 90 seconds.

Plymouth dictated the early play and Nathan Lowndes went close five minutes in, 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.

Plymouth continued to look lively and Lowndes again went close as Brain held onto his right-footed 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 a late flourish from the hosts as Evans and Blair Sturrock again called in-form Vale stopper 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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