That's the Spirit

The Greens were tasked with bouncing back just four days after a disappointing defeat at home to Blackpool, against an in-form side pushing for a spot in the Sky Bet League 2 play-offs. But, as they have so many times this season, the Pilgrims took the best shot of their opponent and came out swinging. 

After an hour of intent, energy and chances for Mansfield, the hosts began to fall back and lose composure after failing to find a way past Argyle’s defences. The visitors pounced, first through Sonny Bradley heading home Graham Carey’s free-kick on 69 minutes, before Carey cracked in a superb dead-ball five minutes later to seal the victory.

“It was our best performance of the season,” said a visibly buzzing Adams after the game.“It was an outstanding performance from start to finish. The eleven that started the game, the eleven that finished the game; it was terrific. 

“They didn’t really trouble us all afternoon. It was dominant defending from start to finish. It was just a top-class performance from a group of players who have done exceptionally well this season.

“The run that Mansfield were on – we were all told about that. We’ve kept a clean sheet and scored two goals against them, so that tells you how good the afternoon was.”

Well over 600 members of the Green Army were not just in attendance at the One Call Stadium; they offered constant support to their side, who put in an immense shift to pick up an eleventh league win away from home this campaign.

“We were in total control of the game, from the first minute to the last minute,” said Derek. “Really, throughout the 90 minutes, did they work Luke McCormick? The answer is no, and we’ve come away with three points.

“It was just a thoroughly top-class performance, and the fans here were exceptional. The backing they gave us from start to finish: it just shows you when you give your team the backing they showed us today, the players really respond to that.”

Paired with slip-ups from teams in the Sky Bet League Two play-off places, the win sees Argyle create further breathing room between themselves and fourth – a gap they will look to maintain, if not extend, when they pay a visit to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night. 

“We’re looking to continue the form that we’re on,” said Adams. “We’ve won 21 games this season out of 36 games. It’s a tremendous points total to have and we’ll just keep on going. 

“It’s another midweek game for us. We’ve had a busy schedule, but to do as well as we’ve done through the busy schedule, through the ones that we’ve had out injured; it just shows you how good a squad we are.”