Saltash United 3 Plymouth Argyle Reserves 2

Saltash United manager Matt Cusack expressed his delight after his side kept their South West Peninsula League title challenge on course with a hard-earned victory over a young Argyle team who have beaten them twice this season.

In front of a bumper Kimberley Stadium crowd of 308 on Wednesday evening, the Ashes closed the gap on leaders Tavistock to five points with a game in hand.

Having lost 3-1 at Tavistock in their last league game more than a fortnight ago, the match provided a test of the Saltash players’ character.

And Cusack told the Cornish Times: ‘Before the players went out I said that setbacks and defeats do not define you as an individual or as a team.

‘What defines you is your reaction. Every team has a wobble and some haven’t had theirs yet.

‘Tonight we gave a reaction at a time when others would have written us off, having not yet beaten them this season.

‘Tonight was about a reaction from the Tavistock game and a reaction from the previous 6-3 defeat to Argyle in the cup when we were also 3-1 up at half-time.

‘The tempo was extremely high throughout and I’m very proud of the character shown, especially as we hadn’t played for 17 days.

‘I think this will prove a significant victory when we look back on the season. Our attention now turns to Godolphin away (on Saturday).’

Right back Dave Barker gave Saltash the perfect start when his deflected shot looped into the net after only 33 seconds and top scorer Richards doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Luke Avis-Riordan had been tripped by Jack Calver.

Argyle pulled a goal back through Callum Rose in the 26th minute from a Calver corner but Saltash restored their two-goal advantage with a fine finish from striker Sam Hughes.

But having been 3-1 ahead at the break against Argyle in a league cup tie last month before losing 6-3, the Ashes took nothing for granted.

They sat deep as Argyle poured forward in search of a way back into the game, with the excellent Dan Rooney driving them forward from midfield.

Twice in three minutes midway through the half, Calver saw efforts crash against the woodwork but the Pilgrims did reduce the arrears with a Rooney penalty after he had been upended by Lewis Russell in the 77th minute.

It set up a nervy finale, including six minutes of time added on, but the nearest Argyle came to equalising was a chance for centre half Rose which he lifted over the bar.

Saltash: R Rickard, D Barker, C Menhenick, C O’Brien, L Russell, J Alexander, L Avis-Riordan (L Edwards 60), S Farrant (H Wilson 73), S Hughes (R Maddison 67), R Richards, C Hall. Sub not used: S Sargison.

Goals: D Barker (1), R Richards (11, pen), S Hughes (36).

Yellow cards: L Avis-Riordan (4), L Russell (28), S Farrant (50), R Richards (71), J Alexander (89).

Argyle Reserves: M Cooper, B Palfrey, J Calver, D Rooney, C Rose, J Bentley (E Crawford 90+3), C McAuley (L Jephcott 60), R Lane, A Fletcher, B Steer (R Law 73), A Battle. Sub not used: H Hodges.

Goals: C Rose (26), D Rooney (77, pen).

Yellow card: J Calver (11).

Attendance: 308.