Stockport County suffer shock defeat at Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Argyle 4 - 2 Stockport County

Plymouth Argyle produced a commanding display to see off Stockport County and defy their lowly League One position in the process.

Author | Josh T

Stadium | Home Park

The visitors fell behind when Kyle Wootton inadvertently headed a Matthew Sorinola corner past his own goalkeeper, before Caleb Watts doubled the lead with a brilliant strike from the edge of the penalty area. Stockport reduced the deficit just before half-time when Oliver Norwood converted a controversial penalty, provoking the ire of the home supporters.

Argyle restored their two-goal advantage shortly after the break, Bradley Ibrahim firing in his first goal for the club from the edge of the box. The hosts grew in confidence as the second half progressed, crafting several chances and eventually rewarding themselves with a deserved fourth. Lorent Tolaj calmly controlled a long ball before finishing low into the corner.

Wootton added a late consolation for County deep in stoppage time, but Argyle held on to celebrate a well-earned three points. The victory lifts the Pilgrims out of the relegation zone, while Stockport slip to ninth.

A bright start for Stockport County

Stockport began the first half brightly, with Jayden Fevrier impressing down the right. His 11th-minute cross found Nathan Lowe, whose deft flick almost picked out Wootton. Yet it was Argyle who struck first, Sorinola’s corner misjudged in the wind, leaving Wootton to nod past Corey Addai.

Fifteen minutes later, Watts produced a swerving right-footed effort from the edge of the box, giving Argyle a rare first-half brace in a league game since April. Stockport pulled one back shortly before half-time amid controversy. Lowe went down at the far post from a 45th-minute corner, with referee Neil Hair awarding a penalty despite minimal contact, and Norwood sent Ashby-Hammond the wrong way from 12 yards.

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Ibrahim responded quickly after the interval, arrowing a right-footed shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. The hosts continued to press, with Bali Mumba setting up Tolaj for a 57th-minute effort blocked by Ben Osborn. Ibrahim’s low effort and long-range attempt were also kept out, while Norwood and Malachi Boateng saw chances go wide.

Argyle secured their fourth when Tolaj, making his first start since moving from Port Vale, controlled a long ball and curled a low left-footed finish into the net. Wootton added a late header from a corner and a stoppage-time strike to give County some consolation, but it was Argyle who left Home Park with all three points.