For Bristol City, this was the first in a series of six consecutive games against opposition lodged in the lower half of the Championship and manager Gary Johnson admitted it was a case of now or never if his players were to stage a late bid for the play-offs.

Victorious in only one of their last 10 games and devoid of confidence, Argyle certainly appeared vulnerable to a City smash and grab raid. But the conditions served as a leveller.

Having been forced to contend with gale-force winds at home to Wolves last week, City were confronted with a playing surface rendered treacherous by the torrential rain which persuaded referee Paul Taylor to order a precautionary pitch inspection an hour-and-a-half prior to kick-off.

It was Plymouth who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, Rory Fallon twice trying his luck from range and strike partner Steve MacLean being denied a clear shot at goal by Liam Fontaine's superbly-timed intervention inside the penalty area.

City keeper Adriano Basso was extended for the first time when Mathias Doumbe's angled shot took a deflection off Marvin Elliott's boot, the Brazilian changing direction in the twinkling of an eye to avert embarrassment.

Basso then produced a startling save to keep out Jamie Mackie's angled drive after the winger had turned Jamie McAllister 20 yards from goal.

Challenged whenever they tried to play through Plymouth, the visitors reverted increasingly to route one tactics, a policy which yielded nothing more penetrative than a half-chance for the recalled Dele Adebola, who was unable to direct his header on target.

At the other end, the marauding Fallon met Chris Barker's incisive cross with a glancing header which required Fontaine to intervene at the expense of a corner, while Mackie's powerfully-struck shot was blocked and Luke Summerfield blazed over when composure might have yielded a more tangible reward.

City were dealt a blow four minutes before half-time, midfield enforcer Elliott limping off injured to be replaced by Michael McIndoe. Fontaine also had to depart the field to receive attention following a clash of heads, but returned moments later with his head swathed in a bandage.