Roberts at the double for Vale
Midfielder Gary Roberts took his season's tally to five goals with a double strike as Port Vale clinched a 2-0 win at troubled basement side Plymouth.
Roberts opened his account on 26 minutes and followed with an 84th minute penalty conversion after Rob Taylor was felled on his way to goal by rookie home defender Ladjie Soukouna, who was sent off.
In the 26th minute Vale skipper Marc Richards swung the ball across the edge of the Argyle penalty area and Roberts raced in to plant a 20 yard drive out of the reach of diving home keeper Romain Larrieu.
It was no more than the visitors deserved for their early pressure.
Tom Pope could have scored in the 14th minute but the ball bounced up awkwardly from Rob Taylor's pacy cross from the left wing.
In the 20th minute Mike Green's throw-in from the left fell to Gareth Roberts, who blasted his first-time volley over from close range.
Taylor then went on a brilliant mazy run in the 23rd minute which cut through the home defence.
Taylor beat three defenders and held off a fourth before sending an angled drive just wide of the post as Larrieu raced out to narrow the angle.
Argyle appeals for a penalty were waved away when 16-year-old debutant striker Matt Lecointe was bundled over by Vale keeper Chris Martin on the hour.
Vale were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when skipper Richards was red carded after tangling with Argyle striker Warren Feeney, who was cautioned.
Plymouth 0-2 Port Vale: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.
Source: DSG
