Gallagher is Argyle's top scorer with 12 goals this season

Plymouth Argyle forward Jamie Mackie has hailed striker Paul Gallagher, who has scored five goals in his last four games to inspire the Pilgrims' revival.

Argyle have taken eight points from their last four matches to climb away from the Championship drop zone.

"Gally's come back into form which is massive for us," Mackie said.

"He's a quality player who can do something a little bit special to win us games. Hopefully his form can continue," he told BBC Spotlight.

Gallagher, 24, has been on loan from Blackburn Rovers since August 2007 and is Argyle's top scorer this season with 12 goals.

The Scottish frontman got the Pilgrims' first goal in their 2-2 draw with Reading on Saturday, with his compatriot Mackie adding the second with a superb long-range effort after a run which began in his own half.

Mackie feels his side's recent improvement - they beat top-of-the-table Wolves on 28 February - is also down to the whole squad's attitude when results were not going their way.

"In recent weeks we might not have had the rub of the green," Mackie explained. "We didn't play brilliant in some games but in other games we didn't get that little bit of luck.

"We've worked really hard and the main thing is that we've all stuck together and it's turned round.

"If you string a few performances together, and especially wins, you'll find yourself soon flying up that league.

"But, until it's mathematically certain that we can't go down, we've always got to have a little look over our shoulder because it's very tight and there are some very good teams down there."

Plymouth travel to play play-off hopefuls Swansea City on Tuesday.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version