Plymouth Argyle gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm after an impressive 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town.
Wright-Phillips and Mason earn Plymouth a vital win
Plymouth Argyle gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm after an impressive 2-0 victory at manager Paul Mariner's former club Ipswich Town.
Bradley Wright-Phillips had given Plymouth a first-half lead after former Ipswich striker Mariner had received a warm reception on his return to Portman Road.
The Pilgrims sealed the win in the 78th minute through substitute Joe Mason to leave Mariner's side now just three points adrift of safety.
Town boss Roy Keane had seen his side climb to their highest league position of the season with three straight home wins but will be frustrated with a gutless display.
Wright-Phillips had the first effort on goal when he lashed a long-range shot wide before Daryl Murphy wasted a good chance to give the home side an early lead.
Carlos Edwards was involved in the build-up and Murphy got on the end of his pass but scuffed his shot wide of the near post.
Murphy had scored six times in 11 starts since signing on loan from Sunderland and should have done better.
The lively Wright-Phillips was then denied by an athletic save by Brian Murphy before Ipswich centre-half Gareth McAuley headed a corner wide under pressure.
Posing a threat
Mariner's visitors were posing a threat on the break and deservedly took the lead in the 34th minute.
The ball was worked out to Yannick Bolasie on the left flank and the winger easily skipped past full-back David Wright before whipping in a dangerous cross.
Wright-Phillips got ahead of his marker to easily steer a header past Brian Murphy and into the bottom corner.
Edwards hit a stinging shot from 25 yards as Town looked for an instant response but Argyle skipper Damien Johnson hurled himself across to make a brave block.
Town dominated the rest of the half but failed to test Plymouth goalkeeper David Stockdale.
The visitors made a bright start to the second period, with striker Jamie Mackie seeing one effort blocked by McAuley before curling a lovely effort past Brian Murphy from the edge of the area but a yard wide of the post.
Stockdale was finally called into action as he bravely beat McAuley to a header as the hosts struggled to raise the tempo.
Keane finally lost his patience on the hour mark, bringing on midfielders Owen Garvan and Grant Leadbitter in an attempt to win control.
Daryl Murphy then had their clearest sight of goal of the night but shot straight at Stockdale before Leadbitter saw a thumping 30-yard drive well saved by Stockdale.
Mason then came on for Wright-Phillips and joined him on the scoresheet with the second in the 78th minute.
Karl Duguid swept a pass across for Mackie and as defenders converged on the striker he slipped a pass square for Mason to tap in an easy finish.
