The Bluebirds reaffirmed their Play-Off credentials at Home Park on Saturday with a first half performance that warmed up a cold day in Devon for the travelling eight hundred plus City fans.

All departments were worthy of mention, from the back four and 'keeper to the strike partnership up front. First to note was a change to the bench. With Margetson out injured, in came Lee Worgan to deputise for the in form Alexander.

The City boss also made to the back line. Despite Neil Cox being in sterling form of late, Jones opted to reacquaint Darren Purse with Glenn Loovens in the middle of defence to mix things up. Loovens had recovered from injury recently but had been kept out of a starting berth.

In midfield Jason Koumas in wide right position lit up the Argyle ground with a superb first forty five minutes in a midfield four that looked as good as it had this campaign. The common keyword used by the press pack present was 'balance' as Kevin Cooper on the left also was on form, coming back to claim his place with style after time out through injury himself.

Chances were presented to both teams in the opening three minutes. Micky Evans was the first to try his luck, but snatched at his ten yard shot and fired wide. City responded with Thompson cushioning the ball with his chest in the direction of Ricardo Scimeca for a shot which took a slight deflection to prevent a goal, instead skimming the crossbar.

In the middle Scimeca and Joe Ledley seemed to have an understanding and cohesion in their play, which opened up the Pilgrims after only eight minutes.

A six man move culminated in Kevin Cooper putting the ball in the six yard box for Jerome to finish what looked like a certain opening goal. Cameron, who has been in outstanding form in front of goal this season, somehow directed the ball straight at the Pilgrims 'keeper when it looked easier to score.

Cameron turned from poacher to provider and the impressive forward combination with Thompson returned dividends after thirty four minutes.

Another slick midfield move allowed Jerome to break free on the right - his pinpoint cross finding Scottish International striker Thompson in the air, who climbed above his two markers and despite reports to the contrary made a clean and well directed header back across Larrieu's goal to net the bottom right hand corner - a goal which turned out to be the decisive boost to City's top six chances.

Jerome and Thompson combined well all afternoon, and you could see how much the goal meant to both strikers in their celebration.

On a different day, Cameron could have gone home with the match ball, champagne and the kudos of sitting at the top of the Championship Top Scorers chart. He continued to put himself in goal scoring positions despite some glaring misses. This shows that although he is still only nineteen years old, his maturity is beyond his years.

Still, Plymouth despite being under pressure had opportunities themselves. Just before half time Capaldi's inswinging corner was met by a shot from Mathias Doumbe that hit the post before Neil Ardley cleared the danger.

In the opening five minutes of the second half, Thompson continued to impress with some great air work to either hold the ball up or knock to the path of his strike partner. Cam's will be the first to admit that it wasn't really his day in terms of goal scoring, though the fact that he had been a part in creating as much for Stevie will be good enough based on the points collected.

Plymouth then found their feet and begin to turn the tide of possession and forward running, though rarely looked a stuck on threat to get the equaliser.

Corners and free-kicks came for the Pilgrims though they couldn't convert, though not for the lack of trying. Their fighting qualities, no doubt instilled by Tony Pulis this term saw them come close from one corner, though the Nalis header from Tony Capaldi's delivery sailed over Alexander's crossbar.

Then came an indirect free-kick just inside the penalty area after Glenn Loovens had passed back to place Alexander under pressure, but Wotton's delivery was deflected to safety off team-mate Evans.

Plymouth were enjoying the lions share, but City nearly caught Argyle on the break when Koumas played Jerome through. The target and power may have been missed earlier in the game, but this time Jerome aimed successfully with power, but was thwarted by a spectacular flying save from Larrieu.

As expected, Plymouth ended the game on the front foot, although the points on the balance of quality from front to back were awarded to the better team on the day. The Pilgrims and Bluebirds have notched one win apiece, with both looking the better away from home.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Connolly (Buzsaky 80), Doumbe, Aljofree, Hodges (Djordjic 64), Norris, Wotton, Nalis, Capaldi, Evans (Zebroski 66), Pericard. Subs Not Used: Barness, McCormick. Booked: Doumbe.

Cardiff: Alexander, Ardley, Purse, Loovens, Barker, Koumas, Ledley, Scimeca, Cooper, Jerome (Ndumbu-Nsungu 90), Thompson. Subs Not Used: Whitley, Cox, Weston, Worgan. Booked: Purse, Ledley, Cooper, Jerome, Loovens. Goals: Thompson 34.

Att: 13,494.