Full-time: Plymouth Argyle 0 Bristol City 2: Michael McIndoe rediscovered his goal-scoring touch to fire City's play-off ambitions on a rain-soaked night in south Devon.

And he also proved a point to watching manager Gary Johnson.

Unable to command a place in the starting line-up in any of the last four games, the Scot issued a stylish reminder of his Championship credentials after coming on as a substitute shortly before half time.

It was McIndoe who made the difference in a forgettable encounter in the mud, summoning a rare moment of quality to register City's first victory over the Pilgrims in four attempts since they regained their Championship status two seasons ago.

City were going nowhere when McIndoe replaced the injured Marvin Elliott in the 41st minute. His impact proved decisive.

The Scot had been on the field a total of 21 minutes when he beat Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu with a slide-rule shot which went in off the inside of a post and established daylight between two hitherto evenly-matched sides.

McIndoe's fourth goal of the season and his first since September 20 altered the complexion of the game and the visitors confirmed their superiority when Liam Fontaine added a second four minutes from time to give City a comfortable victory.

But their joy was tarnished slightly by the injury which forced the influential Elliott to hobble off shortly before the interval.

For City, this was the first in a series of six consecutive games against opposition lodged in the lower recesses 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 Bristol 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 save of the startling variety 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 white bandage.

No doubt subjected to a verbal ear-bashing at half-time, City emerged with greater purpose at the start of the second period and Bradley Orr sent a stinging drive skidding inches wide of Romain Larrieu's goal.

And City's improvement was confirmed when they went ahead on 61 minutes. Hitherto quiet, Nicky Maynard charged down Doumbe's attempted clearance on the edge of the 18 yard box and unselfishly fed the ball to McIndoe in space.

Steadying himself, the substitute advanced two paces before beating Larrieu with a measured shot which went in off the base of the post.

Called upon to respond, Argyle launched a swift counter-attack which culminated in Fallon steering a header from 15 yards into the arms of Basso.

But it was City who carried the greater threat as the clock ticked down and the impressive Cole Skuse looked certain to add a second goal when meeting McIndoe's cross with a first-time shot, only for Larrieu to pull off a magnificent save.

There was no denying the visitors from the resultant corner, Larrieu fumbling Lee Johnson's cross and Fontaine pouncing to net his second goal of the campaign from close range and put the outcome beyond doubt.

Argyle (4-4-2): Larrieu; Doumbe (Noone 75), Cathcart (Timar 64), Seip, Barker; Mackie, Duguid, Summerfield, Clark; MacLean (Gallagher 68), Fallon.

City (4-3-3): Basso; Orr, Carey, Fontaine, McAllister; Skuse, Elliott (McIndoe 41), Johnson; Sproule, Adebola (Styvar 89), Maynard (John 80).