Sturrock hails Mackie performance

Mackie has scored six goals so far in his Argyle career

Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock has heaped praise on forward Jamie Mackie after his goal-scoring show at Preston on Tuesday night.

Mackie, who has played out wide for much of the season, has started the last two games up front.

"Jamie's done very well in the two away games," Sturrock told BBC Radio Devon.

"Now we've got to come up with something for him at home because we've got to turn our home form. At the end of the day that's going to be the key."

Mackie joined Argyle for �145,000 from rivals Exeter City last January. But despite being a striker of note in the Conference, Sturrock has tended to play the 23-year-old out wide.

And Sturrock says his side must now try and build on two good performances at Ipswich Town and Preston as they look for their first win since Boxing Day on Saturday at home to struggling Derby County.

"I'm very pleased. Two hard games we've had in a row, we weren't expecting anything but we've come away with two points.

"We've got a difficult game on Saturday, a lot of walking wounded out there and we've got to be ready for the challenge," he said.