Final day disappointment for Devon clubs

The season is over for Devon’s professional football clubs, and it will be summer of rebuilding across the board.

Plymouth Argyle knew their fate before the final day defeat to champions Leeds United, but the spirited performances under recently appointed Head Coach Miron Muslic should be enough evidence that the Pilgrims will be major contenders for a swift return to the Championship.

Welcoming Leeds to a sunny Home Park for their second-tier swansong, Argyle took the lead through a Sam Byram own goal. Leeds drew level with a goal from Willy Gnonto but the Greens were just a couple of minutes away from denying their visitors the title when Manor Solomon popped up with the winner.

While Leeds United celebrated their ascension to the Premier League, Argyle will immediately look to lay the foundations for a strong response next season.

Exeter City had no such worries on their long trip to Mansfield Town and the lack of jeopardy showed, as the Grecians slumped to a 3-0 defeat, leaving them with a 16th-place finish in League One.

Devon footy fans will already be casting their minds forward to the local derby between City and Argyle, always a fabulous occasion at both SJP and Home Park.

Torquay United welcomed a huge crowd in excess of 5,700 for their play-off semi-final in the National League South, but the visitors from Boreham Wood ruined the party atmosphere with a 1-0 victory that leaves the Gulls with another campaign in the sixth tier.