Plymouth Argyle 2 Peterborough United 0

Last updated : 16 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Plymouth Argyle increased their lead at the top of the Nationwide Division Two table to seven points after overcoming stubborn Peterborough with second-half goals from substitute Nathan Lowndes and captain Paul Wotton.

Lowndes netted within ten minutes of coming on at half-time in a tactical switch with Marino Keith, sweeping the ball home after the best move of the match that ended with Paul Connolly providing the perfect cross.

Argyle had a few anxious moments as Peterborough pushed for an equalizer, but they were able to relax after Wotton netted from the penalty spot after Mark Arber had bundled over David Friio.

Posh came to Home Park with three successive victories under their belt, but set their stall out to leave with a point, and frustrated the second division leaders for long stretches of the first half.

The best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Keith, who blasted over the crossbar when well placed just before the interval.

That proved his last contribution to the game, as Lowndes replaced him at the interval, and the substitute made an immediate impact, forcing Posh goalkeeper Mark Tyler into a full-length save, before he then broke the deadlock.

Peterborough opened up after going behind, and Argyle were forced into some desperate defending, with Wotton blocking two attempts before Graham Coughlan headed clear from under his own crossbar.

Arber's push on Friio in the box as the Frenchman challenged for David Norris' header earned Argyle a penalty that put any fears of conceding an equalizer to rest. Wotton, who had missed his previous spot-kick, fired the ball low to Tyler's right.