Michael McIndoe grabbed his first goal in 19 league games and Liam Fontaine added another to give Bristol City a battling win over Plymouth at Home Park.

An afternoon downpour meant the game only went ahead after a pitch inspection and both sides struggled to find any sort of rhythm in the difficult conditions.

However McIndoe put the visitors in front after 62 minutes with an emphatic left-foot finish after being cleverly played in by Nicky Maynard.

With five minutes left Plymouth goalkeeper Romain Larrieu made a fine save from Cole Skuse but the Frenchman dropped the resulting corner and Fontaine pounced to seal the points.

In truth the scoreline was harsh on Plymouth who had dominated the opening 45 minutes and were only prevented from going in front by two excellent saves from Adriano Basso.

Paul Sturrock made three changes to the Plymouth side with Chris Clark, Mathias Doumbe and Steven MacLean all coming into the starting line-up.

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson made one change from the 2-2 draw with Wolves, Dele Adebola replacing Peter Styvar up front following his excellent performance off the bench against Mick McCarthy's side.

Plymouth made the early running and Rory Fallon tried his luck from distance but Basso made a comfortable save.

Minutes later, the returning Doumbe got away down the right and his cross deflected off City midfielder Marvin Elliott, forcing Basso into an acrobatic save.

The Robins had their Brazilian stopper to thank once again with 28 minutes gone when Mackie made space for himself down the right and drove in a shot that Basso palmed away superbly.

The visitors did eventually get a grip on the game towards the end of the half and the dangerous Adebola sent a header goalwards but Chris Barker was on hand to clear.

Bristol City began the second half in a positive fashion and Bradley Orr drove wide from distance before seeing another shot blocked by Barker.

The pressure eventually paid off just after the hour mark when Plymouth failed to clear their lines and Maynard played in substitute McIndoe who drove the ball across Larrieu and in off the far post.

Plymouth were almost level moments later when Barker cross and Louis Carey left Rory Fallon unmarked in the box but he headed wide when he should have done better.

Both sides toiled as the torrential downpour continued and Larrieu did superbly to prevent City adding a second late on when he spread himself superbly to deny Skuse from close range.

However, Larrieu went from hero to villain only seconds later when he dropped McIndoe's corner right on the line and Fontaine tapped in to seal the win.

Teams

Plymouth Larrieu, Doumbe (Noone 74), Cathcart (Timar 64),Seip, Barker, Mackie, Summerfield, Duguid, Clark,MacLean (Gallagher 68), Fallon.

Subs Not Used: Folly, Barnes.

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Carey, Fontaine, McAllister, Skuse,Elliott (McIndoe 41), Johnson, Sproule, Adebola (Styvar 88),Maynard (John 77).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Brian Wilson.

Booked: McAllister, Carey, Orr.

Goals: McIndoe 62, Fontaine 86.

Att: 11,438

Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).