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          2017-18 English League One, Regular Season
          Gillingham Gillingham GIL
          5
          FT
          2
          Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle PLY
          • Josh Parker (7')
          • Tom Eaves (30', 36', 51')
          • Elliott List (90'+1')
          • Joel Grant (23')
          • Graham Carey (77')

          Eaves' hat-trick dashes Plymouth's play-off hopes

          May 5, 2018
          • PA Sport

          Tom Eaves struck a hat-trick as Plymouth's faint play-off hopes were well and truly extinguished after a resounding 5-2 defeat at Gillingham.
          Argyle not only needed to win but also required sixth-placed Charlton to lose - and for there to be a six-goal swing in proceedings.
          Plymouth, who were in relegation trouble back in November, could not live with Steve Lovell's side and especially giant striker Eaves.
          He struck a 21-minute hat-trick either side of the break to ensure Argyle will be playing in the third-tier next season.
          Josh Parker's strike gave Gillingham an early lead before Anthony Grant bundled in an equaliser for the visitors.
          But that was as good as it got for Derek Adams' side.
          Eaves then stole the show, first capitalising on a slip from a defender and slotting home before finishing coolly to make it 3-1.
          The giant striker followed up that feat to complete his second treble of the season with a header.
          Graham Carey's header reduced the arrears for Argyle but sub Elliott List had the final say with a tight finish in stoppage time.

          English League One Standings

          POS Team GP GD PTS
          1 Hull City 42 +40 82
          2 Peterborough United 41 +34 79
          3 Sunderland 41 +27 71
          4 Lincoln City 40 +20 69
          5 Blackpool 40 +18 68
          6 Oxford United 42 +15 65
          7 Portsmouth 41 +14 65
          8 Charlton Athletic 40 +6 63
          9 Ipswich Town 41 0 61
          10 Doncaster Rovers 40 +2 60
          11 Gillingham 42 +1 59
          12 Milton Keynes Dons 42 -2 58
          13 Accrington Stanley 41 -7 58
          14 Fleetwood Town 41 +9 56
          15 Crewe Alexandra 41 -9 55
          16 Plymouth Argyle 42 -16 53
          17 Burton Albion 41 -10 52
          18 Shrewsbury Town 40 -4 50
          19 AFC Wimbledon 41 -15 45
          20 Wigan Athletic 42 -21 44
          21 Northampton Town 42 -26 40
          22 Rochdale 41 -20 39
          23 Bristol Rovers 42 -25 38
          24 Swindon Town 42 -31 37