Lowe rues poor defending and missed chances at Doncaster
RYAN Lowe blamed ‘two moments of sloppiness’ for Plymouth Argyle’s defeat by Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Pilgrims had more of the possession and more goal attempts than their play-off chasing opponents but still lost 2-1.
Lowe was annoyed with the way his side conceded both goals, the first a header by Tom Anderson from a seventh minute James Coppinger corner.
Rovers went 2-0 up early in the second half when unmarked striker Omar Bogle was left alone inside the six-yard area and he punished the Pilgrims for that.
Bogle scored with a downward header at the far post and the ball then bounced up high into the net.
Argyle’s former Doncaster loan signing Niall Ennis did reduce the deficit almost immediately but the visitors could not come up with an equaliser despite applying lots of pressure.
It was a much-improved performance from Argyle compared to the one they produced when they lost 2-0 away to bottom-of-the-table Northampton Town last Tuesday. However, it still resulted in a third defeat in their last four League One games, dropping them to 14th in the table.
Lowe said: “We had plenty of chances, plenty of crosses, plenty of opportunities to score but two moments of sloppiness have cost us.
“The first one not picking your man up from a corner and the second one not picking your man up from a second phase from a corner.
“That can’t happen. We put a lot of work in to make sure we give the lads everything when we are every team.
“We knew Doncaster were going to be a good team, we knew they were going to be a threat.
“But we have come here and had more possession, and performed the way we performed. Look, on another day we score four goals.
“Joe (Edwards) scores that one in the first half, however that stayed out I don’t know, Niall had a few good chances and Jephs (Luke Jephcott) went round the ‘keeper and should score.
“So we have had enough chances to win two games of football and that’s what is disappointing but I can’t grumble in terms of the way they have gone out performed.
“Tuesday night wasn’t my team. Today was, but two moments of sloppiness have cost us.”
The Pilgrims’ boss continued: “They will watch it tomorrow, they will be aware of it. They can give us the answers.
“We already know because we have just watched it back. I don’t like singling anyone out or naming any players but they know who they are and they have got to do better.
“When you are tagged with a man, we have got to put that trust in you to make sure he doesn’t score.
“Today, two players have let us down from first phase and second phase set plays.
“But in terms of the chances created, being on the front foot and getting in the final third, that’s what we are about.
“That’s probably the best game in chances created for a long while.
“We have been putting a bit more work into the group, especially yesterday, in terms of final third entries, crosses from ‘eight’ pockets and getting on the end of things.
“That’s where we scored one from, so I’m pleased with that aspect but that’s a given for me.
“I said to the group I don’t need to give them any well dones for that because I expect that. They get well dones for the clean sheets and the blocks on the line, like some of their lads did.
“As for the stuff going forward, it’s a rule and that’s what I want, I want us creating chances.”