Liam Millar and goalscorer Lewie Coyle celebrate earning a point for Hull City at Plymouth
Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney was denied a first Championship victory as Lewie Coyle's delightful strike secured a point for Hull City in a 1-1 draw at a raucous Home Park.
The Pilgrims looked the more threatening in the first half and deservedly went ahead seven minutes after the restart thanks to Ibrahim Cissoko’s fine low shot.
But the visitors drew level with their first attempt on target as Coyle played an astute one-two with Liam Millar and curled home a fine effort in off the post.
As the game opened up in the closing stages both sides had chances to take maximum points, with Millar going closest with low strike that went just wide.
Former England captain Rooney was appalled by his side’s display in the chastening 4-0 away defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in their opening game.
But the Pilgrims regained some confidence with a midweek success over Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup and built on that with a much-improved performance against the Tigers.
With the outstanding Cissoko at the heart of their best moments, Argyle certainly created the better chances before the break with Cissoko, Adam Forshaw and Ryan Hardie all testing keeper Ivor Pandur.
Cissoko did manage to break the deadlock after the interval after some great work by Ryan Hardie but Coyle’s swift response left the game in the balance.
Hull piled forward but left themselves vulnerable at the back and were grateful to Pandur, who ensured a second successive league draw with a couple of fine saves.
Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Devon:
"I felt we did enough to win the game so I am a little bit disappointed. But it's important that when you don't win, you don't lose.
"There are lots of positives following up from last week. We had a real energy and commitment, and showed aggression at the right times.
"And we created some good chances, but we weren't clinical enough - and we have to be more clinical.
"But we're off the mark. I am pleased with the point but there are a lot of things to improve on. It was night and day compared to last week. I'm encouraged by what I have seen."
Hull City boss Tim Walter told BBC Radio Humberside:
"It's going to a hard season, a long season, if every game is like this. Every game is a tough game. It's very competitive.
"But at the end we are happy with a point because we tried to create and build from the back - sometimes not like I prefer it, because we turned back.
"We have to drive more forward. That is what I want them to learn to do.
"But that is normal. The mentality showed - they have the bravery. It's never easy to play in a different style. We are just six or seven weeks together so it needs time."
