Plymouth Argyle v Macclesfield Town, 02 September 2000

Last season's 16-goal leading scorer Richie Barker scored for the second game in a row to confirm his return to form. The Macc marksman missed the last ten games of last term through injury and now seems to be regaining his clinical sharpness. His latest strike sent troubled Plymouth to their third 0-1 defeat in five 2000-01 League outings. The ex-Brighton star struck late on to clinch Town's first win of the campaign following three consecutive draws. A deep cross from the right was headed back by Karl Munroe; Barker chested the ball down before coolly crashing a right foot volley past Jon Sheffield. The Silkmen started the brighter and went close via Ben Sedgemore and former Pilgrim Simon Collins. Home targetman Sean McCarthy then signalled Plymouth's turn to take charge when he forced Tony Bullock into a good save. McCarthy put another chance away only for it to be ruled out for handball. The visitors, in unfamiliar all red, kept their nerve to pile more pressure onto Pilgrims' boss Kevin Hodges.