The conditions at Home Park were much better than last year but it was a similar outcome for Wanderers, who were beaten 2-0 by Plymouth Argyle.

Niall Ennis and Ryan Hardie got on the scoresheet either side of half-time for the Pilgrims, while Amadou Bakayoko missed a big chance for the Whites.

Ian Evatt opted to make five changes from the side that faced Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup, with James Trafford, Gethin Jones, Jack Iredale, Aaron Morley and Kyle Dempsey all returning.

Wanderers started brightly, with Dion Charles’ pace causing the Plymouth backline lots of problems in the early stages.

The Northern Ireland international initially had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Will Finnie before seeing a shot from the edge of the area blocked by a defender moments later.

Michael Cooper then made a smart stop to tip Conor Bradley’s low drive around the post after the Liverpool loanee had won the ball back high up the pitch.

At the other end, the Whites were undone by Jordan Houghton’s low corner but Dempsey made an important block to deny Finn Azaz. It would have been almost identical to the goal conceded at Ipswich on the opening day had the ball hit the back of the net.

Charles continued to have joy in the final third, setting up Kieran Lee with a clever cut-back but the midfielder’s effort hit a defender and bounced agonisingly wide.

The hosts also posed a threat going forward, with Trafford having to make a decent stop low to his right to keep out Danny Mayor’s strike.

Evatt’s men continued to enjoy lots of the ball as the first half went on, and a sense of frustration began to grow from the home supporters.

But the Whites were hit with a sucker punch 11 minutes before the break when Ennis opened the scoring arguably against the run of play. The forward managed to get in behind Ricardo Santos and kept his cool to go round Trafford and slot into the empty net.

Lee got into a dangerous position on the left but was unable to find Kachunga’s run as Wanderers searched for an immediate response.

Joe Edwards then nearly scored a bizarre own goal, heading past his own goalkeeper while under pressure from Bradley, but Cooper managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Iredale also went close on the stroke of half-time, sending an effort wide of the far post from just outside the box.

The Whites struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages of the second half and Plymouth could have doubled their advantage when Bali Mumba went on a good run, but his shot was fairly comfortable for Trafford to deal with.

Matt Butcher’s corner then dropped to Brendan Galloway at the far post but the defender was unable to hit the target from close range. It was a let off for the Whites, who were again undone bu a set-piece.

But the miss seemed to act as a wake-up call for Evatt’s men, who began to get into some promising areas.

Iredale’s low cross was cleared by a defender before Dempsey shot straight at Cooper from a tight angle.

Evatt then turned to Bakayoko in the hope of getting back on level terms, with Kachunga making way.

Charles again got in behind the Plymouth defence but his cross-shot was smothered by Cooper.

But Wanderers seemed to be running out of steam, which was always a danger on the back of two big home fixtures and a daunting journey on a bank holiday weekend, albeit split into two parts.

Dapo Afolayan and Kieran Sadlier were also brought on for the final 15 minutes as Evatt continued to rotate his frontline.

The hosts had another chance to double their lead when Lee gave the ball away in his own half, but Hardie’s effort was not troubling Trafford.

Then came one of the key moments in the game as Bradley’s low cross found Bakayoko at the far post but Cooper made an incredible stop to deflect his close-range strike onto the post, showing why he is gaining a reputation as one of the most promising shot stoppers in the Football League.

Sadlier also made an impact and tried his luck after cutting in from the left, but it was a more routine save for the Plymouth goalkeeper.

But Hardie killed the game off two minutes from time, finding a way past Trafford with a powerful strike.

It was again harsh on Wanderers, who had come inches away from an equaliser at the other end.

In stoppage time, Mayor’s clearance from near the halfway line briefly looked like it might drop in but Trafford got back to make the save.

Afolayan and Sadlier also went for goal in the final stages but both failed to hit the target.

Trafford, Jones, Santos, Johnston, Bradley, Morley, Dempsey (Sadlier 75), Iredale (Afolayan 75), Lee, Kachunga (Bakayoko 67), Charles