Football: Classy Keith

MARINO KEITH found his goalscoring touch and Micky Evans hit a bizzare second as Plymouth regained their five-point cushion at the top of Division Two with a hard-earned victory over 10-man Swindon.

Keith bagged an early opener and Swindon had Andrew Gurney sent off for a professional foul before Evans wrapped up the victory to ensure Tommy Mooney's header was merely a consolation.

The defeat also put a dent in Town's promotion bid, Andy King's men having headed west on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run and having won their last five outings.

Swindon travelled without Stefani Miglioranzi, who was sidelined by an ankle injury, so Alan Reeves came in to the defence with Gurney moving into midfield.

Paul Wotton was recalled to the centre of the Plymouth defence, and he saw an early effort fly narrowly wide before the hosts took an 11th-minute lead through Keith.

The Scottish forward ended his 10-game goal drought with a neat finish past Rhys Evans for his 10th strike of the season.

Swindon hitman Sam Parkin should have levelled five minutes later but Peter Gilbert hooked his goalbound effort clear.

The visitors were cursing their misfortune again moments later, when Sammy Igoe smacked a shot against Luke McCormick's woodwork. Keeper Evans was forced into action by David Norris' fierce effort, and, at the other end, McCormick pulled off a fine save to deny Parkin, tipping his shot around the post as the opening half drew to a close.

The impetus swayed back to the hosts as the second half got under way, but the ineffective David Friio was soon booked for a foul on Brian Howard.

Swindon boss King threw on David Duke for defender Reeves as his side went desperately in search of an equaliser.

They came close when Parkin again got free in the Plymouth penalty area, and only a last-ditch block from Graham Coughlan kept his sharp shot out.

Swindon's efforts looked in vain when they were reduced to 10 men with quarter of an hour left.

Coughlan burst through on goal and was clumsily brought down by Gurney, who was immediately shown a straight red card by referee Peter Walton.

Argyle went back on the attack, with Tony Capaldi letting fly with a 25-yarder and Nathan Lowndes also trying his luck from long range before the killer second goal arrived.

Evans forced Matt Heywood into a back pass and then quickly reacted to fire the indirect free-kick off his goalkeeping namesake and in to make it 2-0 in the 83rd minute.

Mooney headed a deserved consolation from Igoe's cross a minute from time, but Argyle held out for their first victory since boss Paul Sturrock left for Southampton.

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