Huddersfield Town 1-1 Plymouth Argyle: Pilgrims pick up away point

Morgan Whittaker's goal was his 15th of the season for PlymouthImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Morgan Whittaker's goal was his 15th of the season for Plymouth

Ian Foster's first league game in charge of Plymouth ended in a draw with fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium.

Morgan Whittaker's seventh goal in seven games for the Pilgrims was cancelled out by Josh Koroma before the break, but Darren Moore's Terriers failed to win at home for the 11th time this season.

Neither was able to find a winner in the second half, in a match between teams with the second worst home record and second worst away record in the Championship.

Plymouth, who are still yet to win away in this campaign, drop to 19th in the table, while Huddersfield stay just one place and four points clear of the relegation zone in 21st.

The hosts started brightly, with on-loan Chelsea forward Alex Matos firing just wide before the lively Koroma hit the side netting from a good opening shortly after.

Forward Whittaker gave the visitors their first Championship goal under former England Under-20 manager Foster, tapping in from close range against the run of play with 12 minutes gone when Bali Mumba's clever cross left Huddersfield keeper Lee Nicholls exposed.

The hosts responded well to going behind, but Matos wasted a great chance to level from inside the six-yard box before the equaliser arrived in the 38th minute, with Koroma firing a fine left-foot effort into the corner after cutting in from the right flank.

The 25-year-old had the best effort of the second half too, forcing a fine save from Argyle's Conor Hazard with a rasping drive struck on the half volley, while Sorba Thomas also failed to appease the frustrated home fans, twice missing the target as the hosts went in search of a second home win in three.

Tom Iorpenda, making his home senior debut for Huddersfield, also failed to trouble Hazard with an ambitious volley from outside the area, while Jack Rudoni could not hit the target with a header from the penalty spot in the closing stages.

At the other end, Whittaker remained the visitors' biggest threat, firing over from 20 yards before the hour mark - but Plymouth's wait for a first win on the road since a return to the Championship at the start of the season goes on.

Huddersfield boss Darren Moore told BBC Radio Leeds:

"We've debriefed in the changing room and we probably feel like it's two points dropped in terms of the balance of the play and how the game went.

"I thought after they scored their goal, the initiative and the impetus of the players to get back into the game and show a willingness to go on to win the game was what we wanted.

"We finished the first half all even and came out second half I thought trying to carry on in that same vain. The one small thing that we all agreed on was that we could have done better in and around their box.

"They got bodies behind the ball, they dropped to a 4-5-1, a low block and not wanting to lose the game so it was difficult for us to then try and break their defensive rearguard but in terms of how the boys showed initiative, I've got nothing but praise for them."

Plymouth head coach Ian Foster told BBC Radio Devon:

"I'm pleased with the attitude and application of the boys, we gave them a lot of information in the week. They showed incredible resilience and didn't let their heads drop after the goal.

"We've got to try and build a foundation away from home and build a balance where we are difficult to break down but capable of being an attacking threat.

"We're pleased with the manner of the goal we scored and how we started the game, but we're disappointed with the manner of the goal we conceded. Having looked back at it, we think it's a foul.

"At time we had to suffer, but we suffered together, and I think the fans recognised that. They were a big part in helping us get across the line."

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