John McCombe says Mansfield Town deserved something from Plymouth Argyle defeat

It looked like rock-solid Stags were about to claim their third 0-0 draw in a row before Neal Trotman headed home Conor Hourihane’s stoppage-time free-kick following indecision from Mansfield shot-stopper Liam Mitchell.

McCombe, who was recalled to the starting line-up following an injury and suspension crisis, said: “If any team was going to win I thought it was going to be us.

“We played some good football in the first half and should have gone on to win that game.

“The winner was a real sucker punch for us, it was a bad goal to concede.”

But the former Huddersfield Town player was also keen to stress their were some positives to take out of the game.

“It was a good chance for me and Pilks to show what we could do. We looked solid and it shows the strength in depth we have defensively,” he said.

“We worked well as a back three and thought we deserved a clean sheet.”

Mansfield Town have now failed to score in 338 minutes.

It was the first win in eight League Two matches for struggling Plymouth.