Harsh words have the right effect on Argyle

For a game played in the shadow of Prestbury Park, Plymouth Argylemanager Paul Sturrock's admission that his side was "not at theraces" during a cringeworthy first half was as apt as it wasaccurate.

For 45 minutes, Sturrock's Pilgrims were embarrassingly poor. Thevenerated best defence in the country last season - to which theinjury-free Graham Coughlan had returned - was a slack shadow of itsformer self; the midfield allowed itself to be bullied byCheltenham's artisans; and all dep- artments seemed to be engaged ina bizarre game of chicken by setting up colleagues with hospitalpasses that the opposition eagerly seized upon. Mark Yates' treatmentof Steve Adams was …