League Two: Hemmings crowns Argyle turnaround

Plymouth Argyle produced a superb second-half comeback to claim a crucial 3-2 victory at Bristol Rovers yesterday, allowing them to go into the new year with renewed hope of avoiding dropping out of the Football League.

Argyle, who have suffered a tumultuous year due to financial troubles, went into the interval with a two-goal deficit but, after equalising through Luke Chadwick's goal with 11 minutes left, winger Ashley Hemmings struck right at the death.

The late winner means Argyle, though still bottom of League Two, are now level on points with Northampton Town, who also blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to Burton, and Dagenham &Redbridge who beat fellow strugglers Barnet 2-0..

Plymouth's task looked an impossible one after Bristol Rovers' striker Matt Harrold found the net twice in the first half to put Rovers firmly in control. But Warren Feeney struck from close range seven minutes after the break to offer hope to the visitors.Chadwick then scored the equaliser, seizing on defender Byron Anthony's poor clearance. In in the last minute of normal time, the ball fell to Hemmings who sped clear and stroked home the winner for Carl Fletcher's side.

Gillingham, meanwhile, claimed an impressive 2-1 win at league leaders Crawley Town, Jo Kuffour getting both the Gills goals. Both sides finished with 10 men. Southend in second were unable to capitalise on Crawley' slip as their game at Aldershot was abandoned due to floodlight failure. Cheltenham, who started the day in third, drew 0-0 at home to Shrewsbury.