Exeter City 2 Plymouth Argyle 3.

Tuesday 18 September 2001.

Almost 6,000 crammed into St James' Park for this one, but no one would have been expecting the drama that was to unfold, not even after Martin Phillips netted after just five minutes to send the Greens into an early lead. Whilst the travelling Pilgrims were still busy celebrating the opener, Chris Curran flicked on a free kick to level for the Grecians. The opening ten minutes had set the scene for the rest of the match, with goalmouth action at both ends of the pitch. With just 18 minutes gone Exeter had completed the turnaround; unconvincing defending from the Pilgrims saw the ball come to Christian Roberts who hammered home from a narrow angle. The boot was firmly on the other foot now, and the home side were pressing for a third.

Goalkeeper Romain Larrieu was to thank for keeping the scores close, with the Frenchman throwing himself at anything his way. His excellent performances saw him play between the sticks for 12 years at Home Park, proving himself as an excellent servant for the club. Le Keeper's heroics were duly rewarded midway through the second half as Mickey Evans leapt to meet a cross from Philips. The Exeter born Phillips setting up the Plymouth born Evans to score the perfect Devon goal.

With 25 minutes to go, the game was back in the balance; both sides were throwing everything at each other. Look up Local Derby in the football dictionary and this will be exactly what you will find; the passion, the fight, the fans, the atmosphere, it had it all. Chances went begging at both ends, and as the board went up for two added minutes the draw seemed to be on the cards. Argyle obviously had other ideas, and it was that man Phillips again who worked his magic on the wing to whip in a ball for lan Stonebridge to meet and thunder into the net. The home crowd - so jubilant early on in the night, were drawn into silence. A last minute defeat is hard to take at the best of times, but when it is the boys up the road who deal the sucker punch it is unbearable.

Argyle fans definitely weren't complaining, especially come May when promotion was secured. This was definitely one to remember.

Argyle loved the game so much they made a mini documentary on it.! 

Substitutes:- G Birch, K Ampadu, M Burrows A van Heusden, C Diallo

ARGYLE: Romain Larrieu, David Worrell, Jon Beswetherick, Graham Coughlan, Paul Wotton, Steve Adams, Martin Phillips, Brian McGlinchey, David Friio, Mickey Evans, Nicky Banger. Subs: Lee Hodges, Ian Stonebridge.
Referee: Dermot Gallagher

Attendance 5756 with 1596 away fansI'm