Sheridan happy to progress

John Sheridan admitted his delight at Plymouth progressing to the JPT southern area quarter-finals following a 3-2 win over Swindon.

Argyle raced into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from strike duo Lewis Alessandra (2) and Deane Smalley. Swindon rallied through goals from substitutes Michael Smith after 72 minutes and Ben Gladwin three minutes before the end. Town could have levelled but for a sensational Luke McCormick stoppage-time save to deny Gladwin and on-loan Southampton central defender Jack Stephens smashing the loose ball off a post. Sheridan said: "It doesn't matter what game it is or what competition you play in, you want to win and tonight was no different - besides although they made some changes Swindon are still a very good side. "It was exciting for everyone watching. In the first half I thought we looked really good. "To go 3-0 up, I thought we were excellent in the first half - especially on the break, with Lewis and Deane looking lively. "We had a game plan, that's why I matched them up 3-5-2, and I thought it worked really well. "To go in 3-0 gives you an advantage and a really good chance of winning the game. I am pleased for the players, more than anyone, that we ended up winning it although at the end we made hard work of it and Luke had to make a great save. "Swindon are really good team - with some really good players, passing and moving. I knew it would be a good test for us, and that they would work us really hard. You could see that in the last 20 minutes. We were breathing heavy. "We had some great finishes for the goals. Lewis can do that - with his third goal, the quick feet and everything. And I am pleased for Deane. He looks a lot better down the middle, and so does Lewis, who has not played there much." Swindon boss Mark Cooper said: "It's done me a little bit of a favour really because it shows the players if they are not quite right and go and do their own thing what happened in the first half happens. "When they listen and do things do properly in the second half we totally dominate the game and should really get back into it. "Hopefully they are all back on it for our next game at Yeovil. "We have got some big players missing, although there are no excuses. "I didn't say much at half-time just, 'You've dug yourselves into a hole, you better get yourself out of it otherwise you won't be getting a weekend off this week'. "We weakened the team and gave some boys who have been on the fringes an opportunity. Although they might not have had the game time, they need to be at it and need to be better. "Hopefully that can be the start of Ben Gladwin transferring training ground stuff - where he's the best player - on to the big pitch. "Fair play to Plymouth, they worked really hard, changed their system for us. They deserved their lead but we should never be 3-0 down and playing like that."