After a furious dispute with referee James Linington, Rooney was sent off because he thought there had been a foul prior to the goal. However, his spirits were raised when Morgan Whittaker scored a stunning victory for Argyle in the seventh and final minute of added time. In the 15th minute, Plymouth unexpectedly led against the run of play thanks to a goal from Burnley forward Michael Obafemi, who was on loan.

The first minute of play saw Argyle almost escape defeat as Rovers’ Makhtar Gueye beat custodian Dan Grimshaw with an angled shot that required defender Lewis Gibson to push off the line. When Rovers launched their second attack in the thirteenth minute, the Argyle custodian fared considerably better, blocking Andreas Weimann with his feet.

In the fifteenth minute, Ibrahim Cissoko was delivered down the wing by a brilliant 60-yard pass from Whittaker, giving the home team the lead. The Under-21 international for the Netherlands cut inside, allowing Obafemi to turn and score from ten yards out.

Aynsley Pears pushed the ball over at full stretch shortly after Cissoko darted in from the left and blasted an effort that appeared to be going under the bar, only one minute after Argyle took the lead.

In the 34th minute, Obafemi outwitted defenders Danny Batth and Hayden Carter and came dangerously close to double his score. In the 39th minute, Darko Gyabi nearly scored as well after making a strong run through the middle.

The first minute of the second half saw Cissoko’s attempt, which was set up by a deft back-heel pass from Rami Al Hajj, go high and wide. In the 52nd minute, Hedges hit a low 20-yard drive that forced Grimshaw into a diving save.

Following an incredible play by Argyle down the left flank, Pears produced an outstanding stop against Joe Edwards’ first-time attempt in the 53rd minute. A few minutes later, the Rovers custodian produced two saves: first, he stopped Adam Randell’s shot, then he used his feet to stop El Hajj.

As Argyle tried to extend their lead, Pears produced yet another outstanding stop to hold off Cissoko. Ryan Hardie, a substitute, set up Whittaker for a shot that went just wide in the 65th minute.

After a full seventy-two minutes, Hardie set up fellow substitute Mustapha Bundu, whose shot was deflected around the post by Pears. After 86 minutes, Dominic Hyam’s cross was headed home by Rankin-Costello, which resulted in Rooney’s dismissal from the dugout.

In the 89th minute, Grimshaw foiled a goal effort by Yuki Ohashi, the substitute, with another outstanding stop. Whittaker sealed the Pilgrims’ victory, though, just as it appeared the match may end in a draw.

The forward sealed Argyle’s victory in the seventh and final minute of extra time by heading Randell’s return ball into the goalmouth following Gibson’s deep cross.