The Pilgrims picked up a point after twice coming from behind with goals from Alex Mitchell and Caleb Watts
Goal celebrations for Alex Mitchell of Plymouth Argyle after scoring the equaliser for 1-1 during the Sky Bet League 1 match between Reading and Plymouth Argyle at Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading on 14 March 2026 (Photo: Alan Stanford/PPAUK)
Here are the player ratings of Plymouth Live’s Argyle reporter Chris Errington from the Pilgrims’ 2-2 League One draw against Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. You can give your marks too using our special widget further down this story.
Luca Ashby-Hammond 5 – A real mixed bag of a performance from the Argyle goalkeeper. He could be questioned over both Reading goals, certainly the second one when he came off his line at a corner but did not get to the ball and Paudie O’Connor headed home at the far post. However, Ashby-Hammond made some good saves too, including one low to his right from Kamari Doyle shortly after Caleb Watts had put the Pilgrims level at 2-2.
Joe Edwards 7 – Popped up with a couple of important clearances close to the Argyle goal during the game and generally did well one-on-one against Paddy Lane and later substitute Kadan Young in his role at right-back. His fitness levels, both in game and after playing a succession of matches in a short space of time, are very impressive for a 35-year-old like Edwards.
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Read More: Argyle come from behind twice to draw away to Reading
Mathias Ross 7 – Another solid performance from the Danish defender, who has shown a good level of consistency over recent months. Ross had a good chance to put the Pilgrims level at 2-2 in the first half when he reached out to get on the end of a Herbie Kane free-kick into the Reading penalty area but he could not control his shot and the ball flew over the bar.
Alex Mitchell 8 STAR MAN – Excelled in both boxes for Argyle. It was Mitchell who drew Argyle level at 1-1 in only the sixth minute when he guided the ball into the far corner of the net with his right foot from a Ronan Curtis corner. He went on to have a couple of other chances from set pieces. Defensively, Mitchell was always there whenever Argyle needed someone to head the ball clear from their own penalty area.
Jack MacKenzie 6 – Did not always find it easy against Reading’s right-sided attacker Randell Williams but it is credit to MacKenzie that he was able to come through three successive starts for Argyle at left-back in only eight days after not making his full debut until the 2-1 home win against Doncaster Rovers on March 7 due to his injury-hit season.
Herbie Kane 7 – Again deployed as the ‘pivot’ in central midfield, the on-loan Huddersfield Town midfielder took most of Argyle’s attacking free-kicks and came up with some good deliveries. His composure on the ball, and willingness to always look to pick out an incisive pass where possible, is striking.
Ronan Curtis 7 – Had a chance to win the game for Argyle with the last kick of the match when he surged forward but as Reading substitute Matt Ritchie desperately slid in to try to stop him, Curtis sent a low shot narrowly wide of Joel Pereira’s right post. The final whistle was blown before play could restart. This was another good all-round display from Curtis, whose deliveries at corners have been a big benefit since signing from Port Vale in January, with Alex Mitchell’s early goal against the Royals another example of that.
Malachi Boateng 7 – Played with his typical energy and indsutry in central midfield. His quick thinking led to Argyle’s second equaliser in the 67th minute when, after breaking down the Argyle right, he took a throw-in immediately while Reading briefly switched off and found Ronan Curtis with it. Curtis then fired the ball low into the penalty area and it broke to Caleb Watts, who fired home.
Caleb Watts 7 – Scored for a second successive match and now has seven goals in 26 games (including 19 starts) for Argyle this season, even after being out of action for three-and-a-half months due to a hamstring injury. That is a good return from someone who seems to thrive most in a central attacking midfield role, which was where he lined up against Reading.
Owen Dale 7 – Had the chance to halt the attack from Randell Williams which led to him eventually curling a shot from out wide on the right over Luca Ashby-Hammond and into the top of the net but could not get the ball away from the Reading attacker. However, Dale went on to put in a real hard-working and effective shift on the left of midfield for Argyle, which has been the tone of his recent performances.
Bim Pepple 6 – Was booked after just 35 seconds for delaying Reading taking a free-kick quickly. Was on the receiving end of some strong, physical Reading defence, such as when Derrick Williams almost wrestled Pepple’s shirt off him at one point. The Argyle striker also had penalty appeals late in the first half when he fell to the ground after a challenge on him from Ryan Nyambe but referee Seb Stockbridge took no action.
SUBSTITUTES
Jamie Paterson 6 – Took over from Caleb Watts in a central midfield position in the 76th minute.
Xavier Amaechi 6 – Was sent on for Jack MacKenzie, also in the 76th minute, and played on the left of midfield with Owen Dale moving to left-back.
Brendan Wiredu – Gave Argyle some extra physicality and strength in central midfield when he replaced Herbie Kane in the 85th minute.
Substitutes (not used): Zak Baker, Owen Oseni, Joe Mwaro, Seb Campbell.
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