Plymouth Argyle 2-3 Wycombe Wanderers

Steven Craig netted the third goal for Wycombe after a quickly taken free-kick

Wycombe Wanderers won the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final at Plymouth, but two late goals have given Argyle hope of victory in the tie.

Wycombe's front three - Paul Hayes, Aaron Holloway and Steven Craig - all netted before the hour mark to put the visitors in complete control.

But Zak Ansah and Jason Banton both scored for Plymouth in the last five minutes to keep the tie alive.

The second leg takes place on Thursday at Adams Park.

For long periods, it seemed Wycombe - who finished 13 points and three places ahead of Plymouth in the final league table - would go into that match with their place at Wembley on 23 May almost guaranteed, but there is still work for them to do.

Wanderers narrowly missed out on automatic promotion despite boasting the best away record in the Football League, while the Pilgrims only confirmed their play-off place with a final-day victory at promoted Shrewsbury and are looking to end their four-year absence from League One.

Plymouth started the stronger but Wycombe went ahead when Hayes, who had a goalless seven-game loan spell at Argyle in 2013, showed predatory instincts to score after Alfie Mawson's close-range header was parried by Luke McCormick.

A potential turning point came midway through the first half when Craig appeared to use his hand to cushion the ball for 22-year-old Holloway, who swept the ball home from 20 yards for 2-0.

Plymouth's players protested to no avail, and although the hosts dominated possession and territory in the first half, they did not test goalkeeper Alex Lynch - who was making his first senior start for Wycombe - enough in the opening 45 minutes.

Early in the second half, Wycombe further increased their lead when Craig was left completely unmarked from a quick free-kick and he smartly finished past McCormick at the near post.

Wycombe appeared to be in charge and the game was petering out, but a piece of magic from Ansah turned the game around.

The youngster, who is on loan from Charlton, unleashed a swerving effort from 30 yards, giving Lynch no chance.

It visibly lifted the Plymouth players and fans and, in the 89th minute, substitute Banton clipped in speculatively and the ball crept inside the far post.

Despite defeat, the full-time whistle was greeted with cheers by the home crowd and Plymouth will have momentum heading into Thursday's second leg.

Plymouth manager John Sheridan told Sky Sports: "We made it tough. I was pleased with the way we played in the first half, but to find ourselves 2-0 down, we were struggling and then you go three (down) and you're down and out.

"But credit to the players, they responded well and they've given us a chance. We can go there believing. It's 3-2 and we're right back in the tie now."

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth: "What a game. Our fans were fantastic. A one-goal lead we've got going into the next leg - we'd have taken that this morning.

"At times it looked like we could have had a 3-0 lead but nobody has come here and done that to Plymouth. I'm really proud of the boys. I knew they'd have chances and they took them well.

"We start again on Thursday. We're going to have to cut out the mistakes and capitalise at the other end."

Gareth Ainsworth's Wycombe have lost only one of their last 18 away matches in all competitions

Paul Hayes netted the opener for Wycombe against his former club Plymouth

Jason Banton's late goal means Plymouth are only one goal behind heading into Thursday's second leg

Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick showed his despair after Argyle's defeat

Wycombe hope to go up via the play-offs after missing out on automatic promotion by one point