Aribim Pepple’s injury-time strike decided a seven-goal thriller in Plymouth Argyle’s favour as they beat Bristol Rovers 4-3 to progress to the Vertu Trophy quarter-finals.
Pepple’s goal, his fifth of the season, deflected into the net from Ronan Curtis’ cross as Argyle edged a see-saw contest at the Memorial Stadium in the fourth minute of added time.
A chaotic evening started with Caleb Watts giving the visitors the lead after only two minutes but back came Steve Evans’ side and strikes from Shaq Forde and Fabrizio Cavegn – the latter with his 13th goal of the season – gave the Gas a slender advantage at the interval.
However, a quickfire double from Brendan Galloway and Lorent Tolaj put Argyle back in front before Luke Thomas levelled for the hosts just after the hour.
The game had looked set for penalties until Pepple had the final word.
Meanwhile, Port Vale’s mini revival under new boss Jon Brady continued as Ben Waine’s 90th-minute goal dumped out two-time winners Bolton Wanderers.
It is now two wins out of two for the new Valiants boss after taking over from Darren Moore, with this coming after their FA Cup third round win over Fleetwood.
The visitors left it late but profited when George Hall cut in before crossing for Waine to send Vale into the last eight.
