Antoni Sarcevic proves to be the difference as Plymouth sink Forest Green

Posted Sunday, November 17, 2019 by PA

Forest Green fell to only their second home defeat of the season as Plymouth knocked the leaders off their Sky Bet League Two perch.

Midfielder Antoni Sarcevic struck the only goal of the game in the first half to send Rovers tumbling to their first home loss since August.

In a high-octane first-half, it was Plymouth who threatened first – Joel Grant failing to get enough purchase on a teasing Byron Moore cross after Sarcevic conjured the opportunity.

Rovers boast a miserly defence, conceding just 10 in 16 games, but they were breached in the 24th minute and it was Sarcevic who opened Rovers up.

The Plymouth playmaker punished some sleepy defending from a short corner to slalom across the box and arrow a deflected strike beyond the flailing Joe Wollacott.

Rovers looked for parity and almost found it deep into first-half stoppage-time. The scrambling Alex Palmer got a finger on an arrowed Joseph Mills cross which dropped over the crossbar.

Plymouth remained resolute after the break as Rovers knocked on the door. Carl Winchester found the head of Matty Stevens, which fell to Jack Aitchison but the midfielder watched his powerful drive fly over.

Six minutes of added time saw Plymouth hold on with Rovers going close through Ebou Adams and Liam Shephard.