LONDON: Managerless Plymouth Argyle, bottom of the second tier and without a win in 11 matches, pulled off the surprise of the FA Cup third round by winning 1-0 away to Premier League Brentford.

Brentford were obvious favourites. They had scored 27 goals in 10 Premier League games, with no side scoring more goals at home this season in the top flight; Plymouth, by contrast, without an away win since April – scoring only three goals and conceding 35 from their 14 league games on the road this term.

But, after a disciplined defensive display in west London, Morgan Whittaker scored the only goal of the third-round tie with eight minutes remaining to send the Championship strugglers through and hand a glimmer of hope to their fanbase, who have had little to celebrate recently.

A string of dismal results under head coach Wayne Rooney led to the departure of the former England and Manchester United striker on New Year’s Eve.

Under Rooney, Plymouth won just five and lost 15 of 25 games in all competitions – a win rate of just 20%, and they headed into the cup tie on the back of two straight draws under caretaker Kevin Nancekivell.

Austrian Miron Muslic was announced as their new boss on Friday but he was limited to a watching brief from the stands against the Bees.

Whittaker produced the decisive moment. The 24-year-old, who scored 20 goals last season, cut in from the right and – with the Brentford defence applying little pressure – planted a low drive into the bottom corner to the delight of the away end.

The defeat meant Brentford exited the FA Cup in the third round for the third consecutive season and will now turn their attention back to the Premier League, where they face champions Manchester City on Tuesday.

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