Catman

Plymouth v Ipswich
Manager Jim Magilton was left exasperated after Ipswich Town's goalless draw with Plymouth Argyle in the Championship on Tuesday night. The Blues totally dominated and had a succession of chances - yet could easily have lost were it not for a crucial penalty save from goalkeeper, Neil Alexander.

Bemused Town boss Magilton said: "Taking everything into account, it was a magnificent effort from Plymouth.

"They showed a real desire to get a result and, if they keep playing like that, they'll win more matches than they lose.

"On another day we could have scored three or four and we certainly had enough clear-cut chances.

"Our general play was very good and we started the second half brightly, but our goalkeeper made a fantastic save to keep us in the game.

"A goal then would have given them something to protect."

Magilton was pleased with new boy Alan Quinn, who was making his debut after joining in a £400,000 deal from Sheffield United.

"Alan's a very good player," said the Ipswich boss.

"He likes using the ball and he's enthusiastic - he has a real desire to go out and play and he'll get better and better."

Ipswich controlled proceedings, having more than a dozen chances to break the deadlock.

Alex Bruce and Jason De Vos saw efforts cleared off the line in quick succession, Pablo Counago headed against the base of a post and there were also a host of missed opportunities by Quinn, Owen Garvan, Danny Haynes and Jon Walters.

Town were handicapped by their wasteful finishing while Plymouth were indebted to an heroic performance from Luke McCormick.

The goalkeeper turned on the style in the latter stages, making brilliant saves to deny Counago and Walters.

Ironically, though, it was Ipswich keeper Alexander who made the crucial saves - despite being a virtual spectator for most of the game.

One came after Plymouth were awarded a second-half penalty, when Dan Harding handballed under pressure from Rory Fallon.

Steve MacLean, the Pilgrims' £500,000 record signing from Cardiff, took the spot-kick but his effort was pushed away by McCormick.

Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock was delighted with the points and said: "Football is a very strange game and we got a result which we didn't merit.

"There was a sluggishness about us, in terms of thought and movement.

"A lot of teams have come here and been stuffed and we were on the back foot from the first whistle, but we dug deep.

"It felt like we had four deaf mutes in our back four and communication problems among our foreigners reared its ugly head again.

"In the first half there were waves of attacks coming at us and that continued after the break."

 

Catman

Plymouth v Hull
The industry and composure of Windass illuminated an otherwise dour clash on Saturday as two teams harbouring promotion ambitions cancelled each other for the most part at Home Park.

Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick had produced a string of decent saves to deny striker Fraizer Campbell on several occasions during a tepid opening 45 minutes before Windass struck on the stroke of half-time .

The veteran striker prodded home a Sam Ricketts cross from close range as the Tigers secured a victory which lifts Brown's men to within a point of the play-off pack.

Hull have now been beaten only once in their last eight Championship matches while Argyle remain winless in the league in 2008.

Manager Paul Sturrock handed a home debut to midfielder Chris Clark while Ian Ashbee returned to the Hull side after missing the 1-0 win over Coventry in midweek through illness.

The Tigers made the long trek south hoping to avenge a 3-2 FA Cup defeat at Home Park last month and bidding to avoid a fifth straight loss at the hands of Argyle.

Campbell saw a rasping 12-yard goal-bound drive blocked by defender Mathias Doumbe after 10 minutes of a low-key opening

Ten minutes later, home goalkeeper McCormick had to be alert to pluck a teasing Bryan Hughes cross from the air as a clutch of Hull players prepared to pounce and moments later kept out Campbell's weak effort.

The visitors continued to press without really looking likely to break the deadlock and it was no surprise to see on-loan Manchester United youngster Campbell again trying his luck from 12 yards but failing to test McCormick.

Windass blazed wide from 18 yards before McCormick produced a fantastic save to deny Campbell from a similar range.

Luke Summerfield dragged a 20-yard effort wide on a rare Argyle attack six minutes before the interval.

Windass then struck a richly-deserved opened for Hull on the stroke of half-time.

The 38-year-old found himself in the right place at the right time to bundle home Ricketts' right-wing cross from six yards.

Peter Halmosi shot wide from 18 yards after the restart as the home side looked for an immediate way back into the contest while McCormick produced smart saves to deny Windass and Simon Walton.

Sturrock then introduced Jermaine Easter and Nadjim Abdou after 56 minutes in a bid to muster an equaliser.

Windass continued to look menacing as he rose well to head Henrik Pedersen's right-wing free-kick just over from 12 yards on the hour mark.

Richard Garcia and Halmosi both tested McCormick and Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill respectively from 25 yards and Brown brought on Caleb Folan for Windass late on.

Garcia weakly drilled wide with seven minutes remaining and there was still time remaining for Myhill to superbly tip Abdou's 18-yard shot around the post.