James Constable earned Oxford their first win in six games and ended Plymouth's five-match unbeaten run.

Constable scored his 11th goal of the season when he diverted Damian Batt's angled drive past goalkeeper Jake Cole.

The striker could have had a hat-trick but opted to pass instead of shoot when through, before later hitting the post.

Argyle's Jason Banton was denied by ex-Plymouth keeper Luke McCormick, while Oxford captain Jake Wright cleared Reuben Reid's header off the line.

Constable's 91st goal for the club now puts him third in Oxford's all-time top goalscorers list, above Peter Foley and John Aldridge.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Plymouth Argyle manager John Sheridan told BBC Radio Devon:

"It was very disappointing, you wouldn't think we were a team unbeaten in four.

"It was a great opportunity to push away from one or two teams at the bottom that were close but we just didn't get going at all.

"I have a big downer on people who are sloppy because they get paid good money and they should be able to go out and perform better than they did."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (4)

Plymouth Argyle

  • 01 Cole
  • 02 Berry
  • 05 Branston Booked
  • 14 Bhasera
  • 26 Charles
  • 06 Hourihane
  • 10 Cox
  • 19 Banton
  • 07 Cowan-Hall
  • 18 Ugwu (Murray - 69' )
  • 24 Reid

Substitutes

  • 13 Chenoweth
  • 04 Blanchard
  • 23 Richards
  • 08 Young
  • 15 Wotton
  • 27 Gurrieri
  • 28 Murray

Oxford United

  • 24 McCormick
  • 02 Batt
  • 04 Raynes
  • 06 Wright
  • 07 Chapman (Whing - 89' )
  • 14 Rigg (Smalley - 62' )
  • 19 Montrose
  • 25 Parker
  • 26 Davis
  • 09 Constable
  • 29 Craddock (O'Brien - 69' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Crocombe
  • 16 Whing
  • 22 Worley
  • 23 O'Brien
  • 08 Heslop
  • 10 Smalley
Ref: Sarginson
Att: 7,189

Match Stats

Shots

6 6

On target

4 2

Corners

5 6

Fouls

14 13

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:11 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +2:59

Andrew Whing fouled by Reuben Reid, the ref awards a free kick. Luke McCormick takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:56

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Luke O'Brien from the right by-line.

88:50

Onismor Bhasera takes the direct free kick. Michael Raynes fouled by Guy Branston, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Luke McCormick.

88:50 Substitution

Substitution Adam Chapman leaves the field to be replaced by Andrew Whing.

88:50

Josh Parker concedes a free kick for a foul on Jason Banton.

86:18

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Josh Parker by Conor Hourihane. Free kick taken by Damian Batt.

84:51

Effort on goal by Deane Smalley from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

83:50

James Constable is caught offside. Free kick taken by Anthony Charles.

82:13

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Luke O'Brien, Lee Cox manages to make a clearance.

80:25

Damian Batt restarts play with the free kick.

80:25 Booking

Booking Booking for Guy Branston for unsporting behaviour.

80:19

Free kick awarded for a foul by Guy Branston on Deane Smalley.

80:03

Onismor Bhasera takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Raynes.

76:34

Jason Banton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Damian Batt. Direct free kick taken by Luke McCormick.

71:35

The assistant referee signals for offside against James Constable. Free kick taken by Jake Cole.

68:37 Substitution

Substitution Gozie Ugwu goes off and Ronan Murray comes on.

68:37 Substitution

Substitution Luke O'Brien is brought on as a substitute for Tom Craddock.

65:47

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Onismor Bhasera by Josh Parker. Free kick crossed left-footed by Conor Hourihane from left channel, clearance by Michael Raynes.

64:35

Gozie Ugwu takes a shot. Comfortable save by Luke McCormick.

63:32

Reuben Reid is caught offside. Direct free kick taken by Luke McCormick.

61:08

Free kick taken by Anthony Charles. Free kick awarded for a foul by Liam Davis on Paris Cowan-Hall. Conor Hourihane crosses the ball in from the free kick, Damian Batt manages to make a clearance. Corner taken left-footed by Conor Hourihane to the near post, clearance made by Damian Batt.

61:08 Substitution

Substitution Deane Smalley is brought on as a substitute for Sean Rigg.

61:08

Adam Chapman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lee Cox.

59:04

Corner taken by Jason Banton from the right by-line.

58:00

Corner taken right-footed by Adam Chapman from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Conor Hourihane.

55:50

Lee Cox gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lewis Montrose. Adam Chapman takes the free kick.

55:37

A cross is delivered by Josh Parker, Durrell Berry manages to make a clearance.

55:08

Foul by Anthony Charles on Tom Craddock, free kick awarded. Damian Batt takes the direct free kick.

53:28

James Constable has an effort at goal from deep inside the box striking the post.

49:28

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Jason Banton.

47:46

Lewis Montrose fouled by Gozie Ugwu, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Luke McCormick.

46:36

Jake Wright challenges Reuben Reid unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jason Banton has an effort direct from the free kick, Lewis Montrose gets a block in.

46:00

Effort from inside the area by Gozie Ugwu misses to the right of the target.

45:34

Tom Craddock concedes a free kick for a foul on Lee Cox. Free kick taken by Anthony Charles.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +2:04 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +0:38

Effort from deep inside the area by James Constable misses to the right of the goal.

42:25

Corner taken by Jason Banton from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Michael Raynes.

40:39

Short corner taken by Jason Banton.

40:23

Jason Banton takes a shot. Save made by Luke McCormick.

39:54

Shot by Adam Chapman from a long way out goes over the crossbar.

38:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gozie Ugwu by Michael Raynes. Direct free kick taken by Conor Hourihane.

35:48

Unfair challenge on Paris Cowan-Hall by Lewis Montrose results in a free kick. The ball is sent over by Jason Banton, Effort from deep inside the area by Gozie Ugwu misses to the left of the target.

35:06

Handball by Sean Rigg. Indirect free kick taken by Jake Cole.

33:34

Adam Chapman takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Reuben Reid.

33:07

Tom Craddock takes a short corner.

31:48

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paris Cowan-Hall by Liam Davis. Conor Hourihane delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing.

29:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Liam Davis by Paris Cowan-Hall. Free kick taken by Liam Davis.

27:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Anthony Charles by Sean Rigg. Anthony Charles takes the free kick.

27:09

Sean Rigg takes a shot. Save by Jake Cole.

26:12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Constable by Anthony Charles. Direct free kick taken by Tom Craddock.

25:30

Jason Banton challenges Damian Batt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Luke McCormick.

22:06

Foul by Anthony Charles on Tom Craddock, free kick awarded. Jake Wright takes the direct free kick.

20:55

Paris Cowan-Hall fouled by Liam Davis, the ref awards a free kick. Jake Cole takes the free kick.

19:37

Free kick awarded for a foul by Reuben Reid on Michael Raynes. Luke McCormick takes the direct free kick.

15:23

Assist on the goal came from Damian Batt.

15:23 Goal scored

Goal - James Constable - Plymouth 0 - 1 Oxford Goal scored by James Constable from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Plymouth 0-1 Oxford Utd.

13:41

The offside flag is raised against Lewis Montrose. Indirect free kick taken by Jake Cole.

12:26

The assistant referee flags for offside against Conor Hourihane. Indirect free kick taken by Luke McCormick.

11:35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Liam Davis on Paris Cowan-Hall. Jason Banton crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance made by Michael Raynes.

10:29

Conor Hourihane fouled by Josh Parker, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Anthony Charles.

8:54

Adam Chapman takes the inswinging corner, Jake Cole makes a clearance.

7:38

Onismor Bhasera concedes a free kick for a foul on Josh Parker. Michael Raynes takes the free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association