IN-DEMAND Che Adams netted a late winner for the second time on the road this season as Saints saw off newly promoted Plymouth Argyle with a 2-1 victory.

Nathan Tella had opened the scoring early in the second half but that lead lasted less than two minutes before Ryan Hardie equalised from a quick counter.

It looked destined to finish all square despite nine minutes of added time after some heroic defending and a top free-kick stop from Conor Hazard.

Adams had other ideas, as he did at Sheffield Wednesday two weeks ago, and was in the right place to make Southampton’s pressure tell and convert from just yards out in front of the away support.

Manager Russell Martin made two changes to his team that drew 4-4 with Norwich City last time out but both were forced due to the injuries of Will Smallbone and Charly Alcaraz.

The Republic of Ireland international was known to be ruled out and Shea Charles was his replacement, while Alcaraz missed out through a minor injury in training this week.

Adams came into the starting lineup for the first time in the Championship this season after back-to-back goals from the substitutes bench, amid a rejected bid from Everton.

Argyle, promoted from League One last season, had won their last four league games at Home Park and have had three other five-win streaks here since the start of 2021-22.

Southampton, however, had not won successive league games on the road since June 2020. The home fans made clear their delight at playing Championship football.

An unbelievable atmosphere in Devon helped roar the Pilgrims on and they could have capitalised on some shaky early moments from Saints.

Saints had three penalty appeals waved away by referee David Webb in the first half, with Kyle Walker-Peters and Sam Edozie going down in the box before a shirt pull on Charles.

None of them were given, though, with the latterly mentioned Northern Ireland international actually booked for handball as he attempted to wrestle back his balance attacking a corner.

Tella slipped as he struck Southampton’s best early chance at Hazard and Plymouth should have ended the half ahead but let their attacks down with the last touch.

Tella made them pay with an excellent left-footed first-time finish from the edge of the area after A Armstrong had nudged the ball across the box 49 minutes in.

However, that lead lasted just 120 seconds before Ryan Manning’s unfortunate slip let Morgan Whittaker fire across to Hardie for another first-time finish to equalise.

The referee booked goalscorer Hardie soon after for a dive, as Gavin Bazunu rushed out to tackle him - before Stuart Armstrong thumped one off the crossbar.

The industrious Edozie went close to a first after a good passage with A Armstrong but could not reach the Geordie’s square.

A Armstrong then had a superb free-kick saved with one strong hand by Hazard late in regulation time while Whittaker struck the post early in nine minutes of added time.

It would be the away side who would walk away happy after a sustained period of pressure saw A Armstrong head goalwards, and his effort could only be directed into the path of Adams.

The number nine's defensive work in the area in the final phases of play garnered just as much support from his fans and manager as any goal could have.

Plymouth Argyle: Hazard; Mumba, Houghton (Warrington, 79), Scarr, Edwards, Hardie (Waine, 79), Whittaker, Gibson, Azaz (Randell, 79), Cundle (C Wright, 60), Kesler-Hayden (Miller, 70).

Unused subs: Burton, Pleguezuelo, Butcher, T Wright.

Booked: Scarr, Hardie. 

Saints: Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning; Charles, S Armstrong (Aribo, 82), A Armstrong; Tella (Mara, 90), Edozie (Amo-Ameyaw, 74), Adams.

Unused subs: Lumley, Bree, Perraud, Lyanco, Doyle, Ballard.

Booked: S Armstrong, Charles, Manning, Stephens.

Referee: David Webb.

Attendance: 16,392 (1,602 away).