Carlisle United 0-3 Plymouth Argyle

Play-off contenders Plymouth ran out convincing winners against Carlisle thanks to a brace from Luke Jephcott and second-half strike from substitute Ryan Hardie.

Argyle harnessed the tricky conditions much the better in an opening half where they had most of the possession.

Carlisle goalkeeper Adam Collin had to spread himself to make an early save from Jephcott then on-loan Wolves youngster Elliot Watt, making his home debut, came to the Cumbrians' rescue with a timely foot in as Danny Mayor set himself to shoot.

Apart from an early range-finder from Nathan Thomas which was dealt with by Alex Palmer in the Argyle goal, Carlisle did not offer a lot going forward.

It was the dangerous Jephcott who opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, arriving at the near post to turn Byron Moore's low cross past Collin.

Plymouth doubled their lead four minutes after the break and again it was Jephcott with the finish from 12 yards after Tyreeq Bakinson had threaded the ball through to find the striker with time and space to slot the ball home.

It was Jephcott's fourth goal in two matches.

This prompted Carlisle's best attacking spell of the game as Mike Jones tested Palmer with a raking drive from the edge of the area.

However, Carlisle had a let-off when a deflected Joe Edwards cross rebounded off Collin on to a post before rolling along the line but not going in.

Plymouth ended any doubts about their superiority in the 75th minute when Hardie supplied a clinical finish from Mayor's pass, making it 12 points from the last 15 for the in-form Pilgrims.

Carlisle defender Aaron Hayden was sent off in added time for a second yellow card.

Match report supplied by PA Media.