Gary Sawyer scored a crucial late header to give Plymouth victory over Blackpool and boost their Coca-Cola Championship survival hopes.

The Pilgrims went into the game without a win in their previous four matches and looked to be heading for a point when Paul Gallagher's corner found Sawyer and he headed home from close range.

In truth it was little more than Plymouth deserved after an enterprising display in which Gallagher saw a vicious effort go just over early on before Karl Duguid headed wide in the second half.

Blackpool did show signs of promise after the break and debutant Lee Hughes shot just wide from the edge of the box, while Charlie Adam had a goal disallowed for handball.

The win moved Plymouth four points clear of the relegation zone while Blackpool are only one point further in front and still looking over their shoulders.

Blackpool boss Tony Parkes handed on-loan striker Hughes his debut in place of the injured Wade Small, while David Vaughan also returned to the starting line-up.

Paul Sturrock kept faith with the same side from the defeat to Burnley last time out as Plymouth looked to end their three-match losing run.

Blackpool made an enterprising start but Plymouth came close to opening the scoring when Sawyer's clever run opened up space for Gallagher to strike a dipping effort that went just over.

Hughes looked eager to make an early impression for the Seasiders and with 21 minutes gone he was found by Alex Baptiste's cross but his header was saved by Romain Larrieu.

However Plymouth looked the most likely to score and Ashley Barnes saw a shot blocked by Keith Southern as the visitors pressed for an opener.

Just before half-time Jamie Mackie found space outside the box but his shot was saved comfortably by Blackpool goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

Blackpool came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half and Hughes made space for himself on the edge of the area before firing in a shot that went just wide with Larrieu scrambling.

Moments later the hosts thought they had taken the lead when Adam swept in Vaughan's cross but the goal was ruled out for handball.

Former Rangers midfielder Adam looked impressive for Blackpool and he shot wide from 20 yards before crossing for substitute Stephen McPhee who headed wide from close range.

Plymouth gradually found their rhythm once again and Alan Judge found space inside the box but could only send the shot wide.

With 11 minutes remaining Plymouth should have been in front when a quick break saw Sawyer cross for Karl Duguid who headed wide when he should have buried it.

However seven minutes later the Pilgrims did take the lead when Gallagher's corner found Sawyer and he glanced a header past Rachubka.

Teams:

Blackpool Rachubka, Baptiste, Edwards, Barker, Crainey, Ormerod, Southern (McPhee 61), Adam, Vaughan, Campbell (Jorgensen 49), Hughes (Burgess 80).

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Evatt.

Booked: Crainey.

Plymouth Larrieu, Gray, Cathcart (Barker 56), Seip, Sawyer, Judge (Clark 77), Fletcher, Duguid, Gallagher (Fallon 88), Barnes, Mackie.

Subs Not Used: Saxton, Douala.

Goals: Sawyer 86.

Att: 8,103

Ref: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).