Tom Cleverley accepts Plymouth in battle for survival after Mansfield loss

Boss Tom Cleverley admitted Plymouth are in a relegation battle after a third successive defeat in a 2-0 loss at Mansfield left them third-bottom of League One.

Brendan Galloway and Brendan Wiredu, between them, failed to clear a goal kick after six minutes and Will Evans stole in for the opener.

Liam Roberts did make a crucial save to deny Tegan Finn after 77 minutes before Jordan Bowery sealed a fifth league game unbeaten for the Stags after 84 minutes.

Cleverley said: “We are in a relegation battle. I don’t think there is any part of our performances or consistency to suggest otherwise, so let’s face the situation we’re in head on.

“This is not something that is going to fix itself overnight. No one has a magic wand to make this issue go away.

“We are putting in performances that mean we deserve to be where we are at.

“It’s never been a sacking club and it’s been hurt by managers leaving at the first bit of success.

“However, that does not give me the right to have nine lives and I have to turn things round really quickly.

“I have never seen a team concede so many from direct play and it’s worrying.”

There were boos from the 704 travelling fans and Cleverley added: “The fans have a right to be frustrated – it’s their club.

“We have to acknowledge how far they travel and how much money they spend to support us.

“I have told the players what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – I have been there as a player when your own fans turn and I will certainly help the players through that. I can take it – I have thick skin.”

Stags squandered several good chances to double their lead before a huge moment after 77 minutes when Deji Oshilaja was robbed on the byline by Jamie Paterson and Roberts had to deny Finn from close range.

Then, when Nathan Moriah-Welsh miskicked his finish from Joe Gardner’s cross, the ball rolled to Bowery for an easy finish.

Mansfield manager Nigel Clough said: “I thought it was a very good, professional, solid performance more than anything.

“We worked hard without the ball and restricted Plymouth to very few opportunities and the only thing was we didn’t score more goals.

“We had three incredibly good chances to double our lead and we should be taking one of them to have a bit more comfort before Deji, unlike him, made an error and Liam Roberts has got us out the cart again with a brilliant save.

“He has done that a few times this season and deserved his clean sheet.

“Moments like that are fine margins. If that goes in it could have been a different game. We can’t afford to give people these chances.

“Our work-rate was outstanding and there are relationships developing on the pitch.”