Goals:

0-1: Thomas (24, cross curled over the goalkeeper and landed in the net)

1-1: Jervis pen (84, drilled in low and powerfully)

Bookings: Thomas (41, handball); Miller (67, foul); Harrison (73, foul), Deverdics (78, foul), Paynter (81, foul), Nsiala (84, foul)

Sending-off: Harrison (second bookable offence, kicking the ball away 90)

Referee: Gavin Ward (Oxted, Surrey): Lost the plot in the closing stages, as he became the centre of attention. A truly hopeless show 2

Attendance: 7,591

Entertainment: 4/5

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE (4-2-3-1): McCormick 6, Miller 4, Bulvitus 5, Bradley 5, Purrington 7; Fox 5, Songo’o 4 (Smith 46, 6); CAREY 7, Tanner 6 (Spencer 60, 6), Slew 5 (Jervis 46, 7); Goodwillie 6.

Subs (not used): Donaldson, Threkeld, Dorel (gk), Ijaha.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-5-1):

6 Carson: Sign of a good keeper is to make saves when he’s not being busy – his first-half stop from a goalbound free-kick is a prime example;

7 Donnelly: His performance showed that Pools can cope without the injured Carl Magnay. Gave nothing away at right-back

7 Harrison: His best show in a long time, switched on and sent off for trying to see the game out in injury time by a referee who was desperate to do something

6 Nsisla: Defended stoutly, making some key blocks and interceptions throughout. Penalty call was harsh, but he was guilty of not attacking the ball in his own area and allowing it to bounce

7 Carroll: Up against Argyle’s best player and biggest threat in Carey, but kept him quiet to the extent he had to switch flanks;

7 Alessandra: His role was key in making sure Pools were a threat going forward, with his willingness to run at and beyond the home defence

6 Featherstone: Neat, tidy, solid, safe – everything you expect from the midfielder who was granted the captaincy

7 Hawkins: Again showed how vital he is to the cause with his running, and ability to roam around and pick up possession anywhere across the middle of the park

8 LAURENT: Busy, athletic and played with authority in a three-man midfield. When he starts to put away the openings he is getting on the end of, he will be some player

7 Thomas: Cross or shot? Who cares, he now has four goals in four games and there’s still a lot more to come from him;

7 Amond: Didn’t have any openings, but his tireless nature in a lone striker role was vital in this system and, like Alessandra, ran himself into the ground.

Subs:

Deverdics (for Thomas 77)

Paynter (for Amond 80)

Richards (for Hawkins 90)

(not used): Bartlett (gk), Orrell, Fewster, Heardman.

MAN OF THE MATCH Josh Laurent – didn’t look convincing in his brief appearances last season, but has massively progressed in recent weeks and played with a positive and busy outlook.