Ryan Lowe hails ‘special’ Plymouth players after seeing off Salford

Manager Ryan Lowe saluted his “special” Plymouth team after substitute Ryan Hardie’s stoppage-time strike handed them a dramatic 3-2 Sky Bet League Two win at Salford.

Argyle remain right in the promotion shake-up after emerging victorious following a ding-dong battle at the Peninsula Stadium.

Lowe said: “This is a really tough place to come, so to come here and win the game like that was brilliant.

“We knew Salford would be strong and wouldn’t roll over. Just look at the quality they’ve got in their squad. We knew we couldn’t underestimate them.

“Huge credit to my lads, they’ve come here and shown bravery, commitment and desire in abundance, and those are all traits you need if you’re going to be successful.

“I’ve just said to the lads that that is what good teams do.

“What pleased me even more was seeing the great reaction to the weekend’s result. I could see the determination to produce a reaction out there.

“They are a special set of lads I’ve got there.

“In the second half they really rolled their sleeves up and showed that they are fighting for our green army of fans.”

Plymouth went in front after 18 minutes. Antoni Sarcevic clipped in a cross and though Byron Moore scuffed an initial effort, he made no mistake the second time as he tapped home.

James Wilson levelled with his first touch after coming on, glancing home a looping header, only for Argyle to swiftly retake the lead as Sarcevic curled home from 25 yards.

Wilson struck again two minutes later, but it was not enough as Hardie bagged his late, late winner.

That goal ended Salford’s five-game unbeaten league run.

Boss Graham Alexander was disappointed as he felt his side competed well.

He said: “I thought we were the better side for long spells. We were dominant at times.

“The reaction of the players was good, particularly in what was a real action-packed second half.

“We were really competitive, and we created more chances than we did on Saturday against Crawley (goalless draw).

“The manner of the goals we conceded was a big disappointment.

“It’s something we have to try and cut out of course, but we’d gone toe to toe with one of the top teams in the division and we’ve lost right at the end.

“They’ve punished us for a couple of mistakes, and we end up coming away with nothing.

“We’ll have to take this result on the chin now and move on to the next game.”