Battling Through

The Pilgrims will be ball number 23 in the next round of football's oldest cup competition, thanks to another dogged display to add to the list in this superb start to the 2016-17 season.

Despite being forced by the hosts to play into a heavy wind in the first half, the Greens forged ahead thanks to a powerful solo effort by Jordan Slew, who ran all of 70 yards and beating his man before firing into the far corner.

Mansfield carried a constant threat, though, and brought themselves level after the break with an excellent strike from ex-Argyle loanee Ashley Hemmings.

"We lost the toss and they were able to turn us around," said Derek. "We actually played a wee bit better in the first half with the wind against us, rather than for us. It's difficult when the wind is with you, because you can pass balls and they roll through.

"We fought hard, played very well in spells and were able to get a lead into the game with great play from Slew down the side, and his strike into the bottom corner. We probably feel we should've gone on to get another goal in that time.

"Mansfield came back into the game in the second half when they scored their goal, and they got a lift from that. You saw that with their energy and their willingness to get forward."

As is the theme of Argyle's campaign so far, though, Derek's side weathered the storm. Mansfield's threat began to dwindle late on and gaps at the back formed - exploited to full effect by David Fox ten minutes from time, netting his first Argyle goal.

"It was a well-worked move down the left-hand side, a good cutback and a good strike from David," said Adams.

"When they scored their goal, the supporters here were with them, and we knew that was going to be the case. Then our supporters were with us after that as well.

"It's always nice to come away from home and score two goals. We thought about it before the game: it's about coming here and winning the match. We've come away, it's a tough venue, it's not easy - we knew it wasn't going to be.

"There wasn't a lot of football on show today, but that's the kind of fixture it was going to be."