Tom Cleverley full of praise for injury-hit Plymouth after win over Doncaster

Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley praised his injury-hit squad for overcoming the challenge of getting into League One’s top 10 following a 2-1 home win over Doncaster.

Rovers led 1-0 through Elliot Lee’s volley but in-form Argyle striker Bim Pepple levelled in first-half stoppage time.

Visiting goalkeeper Zander Clark saved Ronan Curtis’ penalty before Herbie Kane claimed the winner with a long-range free-kick 16 minutes from time.

Cleverley said: “It’s an achievement we have climbed 14 places from where we were, because we went through some difficult times together, not just the group but all of us, the club and fans.

“To get into the top half was significant. To get into the top 10 was a challenge and now we focus on the next one.”

Reflecting on the game, Cleverley added: “They were the better side first half, up until the change of system when we went to 4-3-3.

“Could I have done that sooner? I am a little bit annoyed with myself because we were getting outnumbered in midfield and we needed to get another body in there, so we dropped Caleb Watts in there and we got a foothold in the game.

“The second half was much better, the intensity, the care on the ball. The introduction of the substitutes had a really good impact.

“The timing of the goal just before half-time is key and, in the end, our second-half performance got the job done.

“Our mentality is strong and the help from the supporters is helping and I am really pleased we managed to overturn a poor first half.

“It’s a challenge because of the quality of the players we have out. We have 10 players injured and arguably seven of those would start.

“Today was never the issue but Tuesday is going to stretch us, it’s going to be a real grit-your-teeth week.”

Rovers boss Grant McCann cut a frustrated figure after the match.

He said: “I think we have lost the game on two very soft goals that we have conceded.

“They haven’t done a lot to score those goals really. It’s probably our own doing.

“The first one is a long throw, and we just don’t get out to the cross, and we don’t stay with the second phase in the box so that’s on us.

“The second one is just a disjointed line from the free-kick from Kane which doesn’t give our goalkeeper an opportunity to (claim the ball).

“We’ve conceded two of the softest goals to lose this game and that’s probably the most frustrating part because I don’t think there was a lot in the game.

“I thought we were good in spells and they obviously scored on the stroke of half-time which has given them momentum and a bit of a feel for the second half and the timing of the goal is poor from us.

“The referee’s given a soft penalty but we managed to save it and clear it. I just feel frustrated, I don’t think we deserved to lose the game and I don’t think any team deserved to win it.”