Di Matteo joy at staying in touch

Baggies boss pleased with hard-fought 1-0 win over Plymouth

Last updated: 6th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Di Matteo joy at staying in touch

Di Matteo: Joy at win

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West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo was delighted to see his side keep pace in the race for automatic promotion from the Championship with a 1-0 win at Plymouth.

The Baggies remain within three points of leaders Newcastle after Simon Cox grabbed a 66th minute winner at Home Park.

Albion, who finished the game with 10 players following the 90th-minute red card for Thomas for a foul on substitute David McNamee, had an 84th-minute opportunity to double their lead but home keeper David Stockdale saved Graham Dorrans' penalty.

Di Matteo admitted: "We are pleased with the result because we had two tough games, at Blackpool and here.

"I was pleased with the manner in which we won as well because it was a difficult pitch today. You could not really play much football on it.

"We adapted pretty well to it and we won. We are very pleased with the three points.

"It is a shame that we have not got much time to enjoy our win. We have to travel home now and then focus on Scunthorpe on Tuesday and that's the way it is. It goes on and on. It is a marathon."

Mariner

Argyle boss Paul Mariner felt his side did well despite their defeat.

Mariner said: "When you are in our position you find that something - and it might only be one thing - goes against you.

"We know that we should have done something when they scored and we didn't do it.

"They scored and they won the match but I saw plenty out there to be positive about."

Mariner paid tribute to midfielder Damien Johnson and striker Kenny Cooper on their debuts.

"He said: "Damien did well on his debut and playing out there for 90 minutes with the pitch like that is like playing one and a half games it's so sapping.

"I wanted to give Kenny a look at the game first and then put him on. Besides, Rory (Fallon) has been playing well and deserved his start."

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