A manager's credentials can often be best judged when his team meets an opponent the second time around. This was never more in evidence than on Saturday when Argyle visited a misty JJB Stadium to inflict the first defeat of the season on league leaders Wigan Athletic. Make no mistake, this was no fluke victory, as anyone who watched Sunday's extended highlights on television would testify. Argyle were unfortunate to lose the home game three weeks ago through an outrageous fluke goal. But Williamson and coaches Gerry McCabe and Jocky Scott are a canny bunch. Leaving Mickey Evans as the lone ranger up front would only work if the midfield were able to break quickly to back him up. Argyle suffered badly in the second half against Reading, when captain Paul Wotton dropped back and the whole of the midfield virtually followed him, leaving the fans and the players gutted at losing a two-goal lead. At Wigan, Wotton was given the sitting role in front of the back four. This allowed the midfield to break at every opportunity, while Wigan, shorn of top scorer Nathan Ellington, were unable to exploit any defensive weaknesses. Wotton, with his customary long-range free kick, and Scottish international Stevie Crawford, who is at last finding the opposition net, were the scorers. Before Argyle played West Ham, Reading and Wigan, an ambitious punter would not have given Argyle more than a slim chance of gaining three points from all three games. The fans who have seen these three games will tell a different story. They will justifiably tell you it should have been three straight victories, and that against three of the top four teams in the Coca-Cola Championship. Does that mean Argyle are now one of the favourites to win a promotion spot, or even a place in the play-offs. Possibly not, but as Williamson has said on many occasions: 'We haven't seen a team yet that has outplayed us. 'This is a tough league and anyone can beat anyone else on the day.' So what now? Nathan Lowndes has moved on to Port Vale, having failed to make an impression at Home Park. Blair Sturrock started his loan period at Bristol Rovers with a goal in their 4-2 midweek reserve team win against Cardiff City. Stuart Yetton has returned to Weymouth for another month's loan and goalkeeper Luke McCormack has returned form his loan spell at Boston United. Matt Villis is at Torquay United for the season, Hasney Aljofree is still injured, while Tony Capaldi is slowly getting back to fitness after his broken leg. This leaves Williamson with about 20 fit players to choose from. Next up are Coventry City, who Argyle haven't met since their 1996 3-1 home defeat in the FA Cup when Dougie Baird scored Argyle's only goal. Prior to that it was in World Cup year 1966, when Argyle lost 1-0 away in the old Division Two. Once again the manager will keep his cards close to his chest. Despite a poor start to the season the Sky Blues will be no walkover. But expect another all-action performances from the boys in green. The success of Argyle this season has meant that an average 16,925 fans have gone through the Home Park gates for league matches, an average increase to date of 33.8 per cent.

Stevie Crawford has retained his place in the Scotland squad to face Sweden at Easter Road next Wednesday, under caretaker manager Tommy Burns. Welsh U16 central defender and captain Ryan Moon is in the squad for next week's Victory Shield match in Ballymena Northern Ireland, fresh from captaining his country to a 1-0 against Scotland. Unfortunately Scotland captain Jamie Laird was injured for that match.

Argyle U18s slipped to their third successive defeat at the hands of Devon rivals Exeter City 3-1, with John Hoyles the scorer. The U16s fared better, beating Swansea City 2-0, Anthony Mason scoring both goals.

Argyle Ladies won a remarkable league match at Keynsham Town 7-5, but will need to be tighter in defence if they are to progress in the Women's FA Cup, when they meet Oxford City on Sunday. Fixtures - Coca-Cola Championship: Sat Nov 13 Coventry City (A) 3pm. U18s: Sat Nov 13 Cheltenham Town (A) 11am. U16s: Sat Nov 13 Bristol Rovers (A) 11am. Argyle Ladies: Sun Nov 14 Oxford City (A) 2pm Womens FA Cup second round.