Another defeat for out-of-form Mansfield Town

The former Bristol Rovers boss has won just one of his seven games in charge since taking the helm at Field Mill.

This latest defeat, courtesy of goals from Niall Canavan, Antoni Sarcevic and Ryan Hardie, means the struggling Stags have won just one of their last 12 league games.

Andy Cook got on the scoresheet but it was a mere consolation for the visitors. And they are now just five points above the dreaded drop zone to non-league football as Plymouth propelled themselves into the automatic promotion places.

The Stags started brightly and were almost ahead inside the opening minute as CJ Hamilton’s header was saved by Pilgrims’ stopper Alex Palmer.

And Palmer was on hand again to deny Nicky Maynard’s chip.

Hamilton squandered a couple of further chances in quick succession as he failed to hit the target.

At the other end Tyreeq Bakinson rattled the post with a long-range strike.

The Stags were made to rue their early missed chances as Canavan headed home George Cooper’s cross at the back post.

Ryan Lowe’s side almost doubled their advantage after the restart when Byron Moore struck wide.

Canavan came to the rescue as he cleared Stags’ top scorer Maynard’s effort off the line.

Mansfield had a mountain to climb after Matt Preston hauled down Joe Edwards in the box - with Sarcevic converting from the spot.

Preston almost made amends but he could only nod Malvind Benning’s probing cross wide.

But super-sub Cook reduced the arrears seconds after coming off the bench with a fine volley after bringing James Clarke’s ball down with his chest.

With a few minutes remaining Stags’ shot-stopper Bobby Olejnik produced a super save to tip dangerous Bakinson’s effort past the post.

But home substitute Hardie put the game to bed at the death as he coolly slotted home from an acute angle.

Plymouth: Palmer, Wootton, Canavan, Sawyer, Edwards, Sarcevic, Bakinson, Mayor (Josh Grant, 87), G.Cooper (Joel Grant, 84), Moore, Jephcott (Hardie, 69). Unused subs: M.Cooper, Riley, C.Grant, Randell.

Mansfield: Olejnik, Pearce, Preston, Sweeney, White (Clarke, 52), Bishop (Charsley, 79), MacDonald, Benning, Hamilton, Maynard, Rose (Cook, 66). Unused subs: Stone, Smith, Khan, Davies.

Referee: Trevor Kettle.

Attendance: 10,523 (246)