Argyle fight back to secure Home Park victory over Doncaster

Plymouth Argyle produced a determined comeback at Home Park as a stunning second-half free-kick from substitute Herbie Kane sealed a 2–1 victory over Doncaster.

The Pilgrims had to recover from falling behind to Elliot Lee’s first-half strike, but goals from Bim Pepple and Kane ensured Argyle claimed all three points in front of the Green Army.

Doncaster started the brighter of the two sides and their early pressure paid off in the 22nd minute. Skipper Owen Bailey delivered a cross from the right and Lee met it sweetly, crashing a volley past stand-in goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond to give the visitors the lead.

Rovers continued to threaten and nearly doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Bailey again created the opening, teeing up Harry Clifton. His powerful rising effort forced Ashby-Hammond into a superb two-handed save to keep Argyle within touching distance.

Argyle’s first real opportunity came late in the half when Ronan Curtis whipped in a cross from the right that narrowly evaded Caleb Watts inside the six-yard box.

However, the Pilgrims drew level deep into first-half stoppage time. Wes Harding’s delivery from the right was headed back across goal by Watts, allowing Pepple to apply a simple finish at the far post and send the sides into the break level.

Argyle had the chance to take the lead shortly after the restart when Curtis saw his shot blocked by Bailey, earning a penalty for the hosts. But Doncaster goalkeeper Zander Clark produced an excellent save to deny Curtis from the spot.

The decisive moment arrived later in the second half when Kane, introduced from the bench, delivered a moment of quality. From the left flank, his audacious free-kick sailed through a crowded penalty area and into the net, catching everyone out to complete Argyle’s turnaround.

It proved enough for Argyle to secure a hard-fought victory and cap a resilient performance at Home Park.