Plymouth Argyle 3 - 1 Rochdale

A first defeat on the road in five games for Rochdale as a game of three penalties cost John Coleman’s side in Devon. Ryan Edwards was adjudged to have handled by referee Sutton after just four minutes with Guy Madjo slamming home the penalty. Andres Gurrieri headed home Plymouth's second just three minutes later to put the home side in command. Bobby Grant saw his second half penalty saved after Kennedy was fouled inside the area before Dele Adebola headed home to halve the deficit. Madjo sealed the three points from the spot in stoppage time when Lennox was upended by Ryan Edwards.

There were two changes for Rochdale from last weekend’s defeat to Morecambe. Jason Kennedy was preferred to Joe Rafferty meaning Phil Edwards was utilised at right back whilst George Donnelly made way for the returning Bobby Grant after suspension.

The home side started the game well and were soon 1-0 up. A ball from the left clipped up off Ryan Edwards foot and hit his hand which the official deemed deliberate. Lillis guessed the right way but couldn’t stop Madjo’s spot kick.

Dale were rattled and fell further behind minutes later. The tricky Cowan-Hall crossed from the right with Gurrieri rising highest to head home.

Grimes saw his snap shot from 25 yards settle on the roof of the net whilst Lillis kept the score at two at the other end when he pushed Madjo’s six yard header over his bar.

Grimes was unlucky not to get his name on the score sheet after a great flick from Adebola found the striker but Jake Cole in the home side’s goal was quick to smother the chance.

Adebola grazed the outside of the post with a diving header in the last chance of the first half.

Coleman’s side came out for the second half much more fired up and took the game to their hosts and had a glorious chance to get back into the game after 55 minutes. Jason Kennedy’s bustling run into the area ended with a foul on the Dale player and a penalty. Bobby Grant stepped up but saw his penalty saved by Cole.

That miss would prove costly as Dale got back in the game with 14 minutes remaining. Tutte’s deep free kick was met by Adebola and his powerful header made it 2-1.

With Rochdale pushing for the equaliser they were caught on the counter attack. Lennox raced away with Ryan Edwards in close attendance but the defender made contact inside the area and the referee again pointed to the spot. Madjo netted his second of the game to seal the game.

John Coleman said after the game: “For 15 minutes give Plymouth credit they came out of the traps and penned us back.

"Josh (Lillis) has made a great save to keep it from going 3-0 and they had one deflected over our bar; then they haven’t been near our goal until the 94th minute. Whether they took the foot off the gas or you give us credit for responding I don’t know.

"We’ve had a body blow early on.

"I cannot remember a game when there have been three penalties and none of them should have been given.

"I think we all make mistakes and I hope I’ve made a mistake in my assessment today. Our lad slips over, the ball hits his foot then his heal. The referee initially plays on, the crowd roar a bit louder and he eventually gives it.

"We weren’t good enough in the first 15 minutes and Plymouth were very, very good.

"It was a tossup between Bobby (Grant) and Ashley (Grimes) who was going to take our penalty and unfortunately I chose the wrong one. Bobby missed one in training on Thursday and I didn’t think he would miss again.

"We can’t blame the referee; he didn’t rise unmarked for the second goal.

"You have to self analyse to get better. Could I have done better with team selection? Or tactics? I could have done better with my penalty choices.”

Attendance: 6261

Rochdale: Lillis, P Edwards, R Edwards, R Bennett, McIntyre, Cavanaugh © (Logan 68), Kennedy, Tutte, Grimes (Donnelly 69), Grant, Adebola
Subs (not used): Barry-Murphy, Rafferty, Pearson, Craney, Smith

Plymouth: Cole, Berry, Blanchard, Purse ©, Hourihane, Cowan-Hall (Lennox 49), Young, Madjo, Gurrieri (Nelson 89), MacDonald, Griffiths
Subs (not used): Chadwick, Feeney, Lowry, Sims, Gilmartin

Referee: Mr G Sutton

Assistant Referees: Mr B Huxtable & Mr C Powell

Fourth Official: Mr P Rees