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Plymouth Argyle vs Birmingham City. Sky Bet Championship.

Home ParkAttendance10,446.

Blues stay on Wolves' tail

Image: Carsley: Winning strike

Lee Carsley's first goal for Birmingham handed them a 1-0 victory over battling Plymouth.

Carsley on the mark to keep Birmingham in touch with leaders

Lee Carsley's first goal for Birmingham handed them a 1-0 victory over battling Plymouth to keep Alex McLeish's side in touch with Championship leaders Wolves. The home side dominated for long spells but wasted a host of clear-cut chances, with Carsley taking full advantage as he drove home the winner after 62 minutes. Argyle had chances to pull level but were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal as the Blues consigned them to their fifth home defeat of the season. Plymouth emerged for kick-off in their tangerine away strip following complaints from Argyle's players that they were not easily visible when playing in their normal green kit at Home Park. And the home side began brightly, on-loan striker Paul Gallagher firing in a snap-shot that Blues keeper Maik Taylor did well to cling on to. Marcel Seip also forced Taylor into a smart save with a right-footed effort from outside the area as the home side asserted early dominance on Birmingham's defence. With the Blues offering little in attack Plymouth continued to press and came close again when Gallagher's scissor-kick flew just over Taylor's crossbar. Midfielder Jim Paterson then crossed for Rory Fallon but his free header from 12 yards was dealt with comfortably by Taylor.

Blocked

Birmingham's first chance of the half fell to Kevin Phillips, but the striker failed to trouble keeper Romain Larrieu with a header from inside the area. Argyle hit back almost immediately, with Luke Summerfield firing in a shot from distance that was well blocked by the recalled Stuart Parnaby. Krisztian Timar wasted a golden chance for Plymouth on the stroke of half-time when he headed Jim Paterson's cross into the side netting from just six yards. Plymouth again started the brighter after the resumption with Jamie Mackie twice going close in quick succession. It looked a matter of time for the home side but it was Birmingham who snatched the lead just after the hour. Just moments after Quincy Owusu-Abeyie had rattled the home crossbar with a fierce 25-yard effort, Carsley found the net with a drive from outside the area that fizzed in off the post. The goal gave the visitors the chance to get a foothold in the game, although Plymouth would have levelled had Taylor not repelled a stinging effort from Simon Walton. The home side began to grow desperate in a frenzied ending, Fallon and Gallacher both wasting great chances when well placed.

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