sport

Noble causes Argyle to lose lead

Orr: Celebrates City goal

With only two minutes of normal time remaining in the Championship encounter at Ashton Gate, Noble picked up Brian Wilson's pass and fired in a superb strike from 20 yards to earn the Robins a share of the spoils.

Goals from Jamie Mackie and Rory Fallon had put the visitors in control at half-time, before debutant John Akinde came on and reduced the arrears.

The draw denied Argyle a fourth consecutive win, while Bristol City were left ruing their poor start to the game after a superb fightback.

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson brought Adrian Basso back in goal and made the shock decision to drop Michael McIndoe, while Bradley Orr, Andy Webster and Brian Wilson all came into the side.

With only six minutes gone, Johnson's decision to restore Basso looked to be a poor one when the Brazilian stopper could only push Mackie's crisp 25-yard strike onto the post and into the net.

The visitors immediately went in search of a second and Mackie crossed for Luke Summerfield, who evaded his marker but sent the shot wide.

Minutes later, Plymouth did have their second when Jamie McAllister's slip gave Mackie time to cross for Chris Clark, who directed the ball into the path of Fallon and he acrobatically volleyed home from close range.

With all the changes, City looked out of sorts and Dele Adebola should have reduced the deficit after being played in by Nicky Maynard, but he rushed the shot and it went wide.

The home side did improve as the half went on but Orr was off target from distance and Wilson had a shot blocked.

Johnson brought Akinde on for his debut at half-time in place of Maynard as the home side looked to find a way back into the game.

Minutes into the second half Lee Trundle also came on in place of Cole Skuse and he nearly made an immediate impact, crossing for Akinde, who could not direct his header in at the near post.

City pushed for a lifeline and they had it with 62 minutes gone when McAllister embarked on a fine run down the right and crossed from the byline to Akinde, who tapped home.

Cue pandemonium at Ashton Gate and moments later the Robins had a big appeal for a penalty when Marcel Seip appeared to pull down Adebola but the protests were waved away.

The presence of Trundle and Akinde gave the hosts more impetus and both players had shots blocked, while Adebola also shot wide.

With 11 minutes remaining, Johnson made his final throw of the dice, bringing on Noble for Ivan Sproule and the decision proved to be a masterstroke when he curled in that fine late effort, which left Plymouth keeper Roman Larrieu stranded.