AN FA Cup fixture has probably come at just the right time for Argyle.

Tomorrow’s second round clash against Newport County at Home Park gives Derek Adams’ side a breather from the growing pressures of Sky Bet League Two action, writes Kevin Marriott.

And I am not suggesting the manager and his players will be taking it easy, because the prize for earning a place in the third round could be so massive, with Premier League giants joining the famous old competition at the next stage.

But three league defeats in eight days has put the brakes on for Argyle just when they looked likely to run away with the League Two title.

An afternoon of FA Cup drama will do everyone a bit of good.

And while Argyle should overcome Newport, recent home defeats by Grimsby and Barnet will put them on their guard.

Argyle have beaten Newport twice already this season. A 4-1 victory in the Checktrade Trophy at the end of August was followed on October 22 by a 3-1 league win in South Wales with Graham Carey scoring two penalties and Jordan Slew also on target.

I would expect the Pilgrims to be in the draw for the third round. If they can do that, they can then look ahead to three home league games out of four fixtures in December, which could get them back on track in terms of results.

The clash against third-placed Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on Saturday week looks particularly tasty, with Argyle only two points ahead of them after 19 games. There’s then a trip to Accrington Stanley on December 17 before the Pilgrims can settle down for a home double over the festive period against Wycombe on Boxing Day and Crawley on New Year’s Eve. Both are 3pm kick-offs.