Argyle take Devon derby honours

Bradley Wright-Philips scored a goal in each half as Plymouth Argyle avenged last months Johnstone`s Paint Trophy defeat to rivals Exeter City.

Wright Philips pounced on an Artur Krysiak`s error for his first and neatly headed home Craig Noone`s cross for his second as Argyle ran out 2-0 winners to the delight of their biggest crowd of the season.

City were forced into a couple of changes as not for the first time this season illness affected several first team players.

The opening exchanges were scrappy as both sides looked understandably rusty due to a lack of recent game time.

Argyle took the lead with their first clear cut opportunity. The persistent Craig Noone won a free kick wide on the right, Noone took the free-kick himself and his centre slipped from the grasp of Krysiak straight to the feet of Wright-Philips who was perfectly placed to lob the ball into the vacant net.

Buoyed by the goal and backed by a vocal home support Argyle went in search of a second goal.

Joe Mason came close to glancing home a Wright-Philips cross and Noone shot wide from a tight angle.

The Grecians responded with Daniel Nardiello fashioning a chance for himself but he shot tamely at David Button on the turn.

Right on half time Jamie Cureton had a great chance to draw City level but poked the ball wide when allowed time and space six yards from goal.

After the break Argyle almost went further in front when Troy Archibald-Henville headed onto his own bar as the host reasserted their dominance.

Paul Tisdale`s response was to make three quick changes with John O`flynn, Billy Jones and Ryan Harley all being introduced.

Gaps began to appear City`s back line as they went in search of an equaliser, gaps that Argyle looked to exploit with the pace of Noone on the break.

The decisive moment of the match came on 57 minutes when Wright-Philips ghosted into the box between two defenders to give a pin point Noone cross the finish it deserved.

Argyle never looked like letting City back into the match after that.

Scott Golbourne flashed an effort just wide and Button saved from Liam Sercombe but City were unable to break through.

The day belonged to Argyle as they put off the field troubles to one side to triumph over their arch rivals leaving just one point between the teams in npower League One.

City: Krysiak, Duffy, Archibald-Henville, Taylor (B Jones), Golbourne, Dunne, Noble, Sercombe, Nardiello (O'flynn), Cureton, Logan (Harley)

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