Plymouth up to seventh

admin

Anthony O’Connor opened the scoring in the second minute and fellow defender Carl McHugh made it two just after the hour mark.

Vadaine Oliver’s acrobatic goal set up a tense finish, but Argyle held on to move up to seventh.

The recalled O’Connor opened the scoring with his first touch of the ball, meeting Bobby Reid’s floated free-kick from the left with a superb looping header that beat Stags goalkeeper Sascha Studer.

Argyle failed to build on their early advantage and in the 22nd minute home keeper Luke McCormick made a fine diving save to keep out Reggie Lambe’s volley from Chris Clements’ corner.

Mansfield had the better of the first-half chances with Lambe firing just over as the interval approached and Oliver smashing a shot inches wide in stoppage time.

But the hosts doubled their lead when McHugh glanced in a near post header from Reid’s corner in the 63rd minute.

A minute later Mansfield striker Oliver scored with a superb volleyed bicycle kick after his initial headed effort came back off the post.

But the Stags could not find a late equaliser and remain six points above the relegation zone.