City acquitted themselves well in their first real test of the season, before being undone by two second half goals in three minutes, as the Sky Bet League 2 visitors finally showed their class.

But until substitutes Jimmy Spencer and Argyle's latest signing David Ijaha struck in quick succession, the National League South side had given a strong Argyle squad an excellent game.

Before naturally tiring in the closing stages, a well organised City showed just what they are capable of, which bodes well for their new season which starts on August 6 at home to Chelmsford City.

After comfortable away wins at the Royal Marines and Falmouth Town, this was a big step up for City against last season's beaten Wembley play-off finalists.

Argyle named a strong starting line-up, while City boss and former Argyle stalwart Lee Hodges, went with experience, including his assistant Rory Fallon, who made 160 Argyle appearances, up front.

New City signing Niall Thomson shot across the goal early one after cutting in from the left, but the home side were indebted to keeper Tom McHale who denied Jake Jervis in a one on one situation when the striker looked certain to score.

Clear cut chances though were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes which produced just one corner to Argyle, who were frustrated by some strong City defending with skipper Arran Pugh and Aaron Bentley outstanding at the heart of the home defence.

City were working hard to close down the visitors and deny them space as the half ended goalless.

Argyle made several changes at the break with Jordan Bentley (brother of City's Aaron) ,Yann Songo'o, Ijaha and Spencer all coming on.

But it was City who threatened first as Thomson was denied by a good Ben Purrington block as he broke in from the left.

Argyle though were becoming increasingly menacing and McHale again had to be at his best to turn away a low goalbound drive from Jervis.

But the deadlock was broken when Gary Miller found fellow sub Spencer down the right and he found the far corner with a splendidly taken low strike giving McHale no chance after 69 minutes.

And two minutes later it became 2-0 when Ijaha powerfully headed home a Jervis cross from the right.

City, who also made an umber of changes, never gave up however, with Fallon's fierce shot well held by keeper Vincent Dorel.

Beaten they may have been, but City could take plenty from the match and will be in action again on Thursday evening when Exeter City are the visitors to treyew Road.

CITY Tom McHale (Jordan Kelly 76); Shane White, Arran Pugh, Aaron Bentley, Jamie Richards; Cody Cooke, Ben Adelsbury, River Allen (FInlay Williams 75), Ryan Brett (Charlie Hardcastle 79); Rory Fallon (Connor Rush 76), Niall Thompson (Les Afful 72)

Substitutes (not used): Ollie Knowles, Haydn Greening.

ARGYLE: Vincent Dorel; Oscar Threlkeld (Gary Miller h/t), Nauris Bulvitis (Yann Songo'o h/t), Sonny Bradley (Jordan Bentley h/t), Ben Purrington; Ryan Donaldson, David Fox (Gary Sawyer 78 mins), Connor Smith (David Ijaha h/t); Louis Rooney (Graham Carey 63 mins), Jake Jervis, David Goodwillie (Jimmy Spencer).

Substitute (not used): Luke McCormick.

Referee: Marc Whaley.

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