Fox in the box seals progress for Adams

FIGHTING spirit rather than flowing football was the order of the day for Plymouth boss Derek Adams, as his League Two pacesetters booked a place in the second round of the FA Cup with victory at Mansfield.

David Fox’s first goal for the Pilgrims ten minutes from time was enough to see off their fourth-tier rivals after Jordan Slew’s early goal had been cancelled out by an Ashley Hemmings equaliser shortly before the hour.

“It’s a tough venue,” Adams reflected. “It wasn’t going to be easy. There wasn’t a lot of football on show, but that was the kind of fixture it was going to be.

“We fought hard and played very well in spells.”

Slew showed impressive pace and precision to put the visitors ahead, capping a rapid counter attack by powering past Jamie McGuire down the left before side-footing crisply across goal.

But Luke McCormick twice had to produce fine stops to preserve the Pilgrims’ lead until the break, first tipping James Baxendale’s bending effort wide, then pushing a low strike from Hemmings around the post.

The hosts levelled two minutes before the hour when one-time Plymouth loanee Hemmings lashed a Matt Green flick-on into the roof of the net at the far post.

Hemmings came within inches of putting the Stags in front seven minutes later after more good work from Green, but saw his low 20-yard effort come back off the upright.

And Fox settled the tie with ten minutes to go, arriving at the edge of the box to strike firmly beyond Brian Jensen, despite suspicions of a foul on McGuire.

“We’d just been saying on the touchline that we just needed one of the midfield players to run forward and have a shot at goal,” Adams admitted.

“It was a very good time to get his first goal, and we’re delighted with an away victory in the cup.”

Opposite number Murray said he would consider his future after his side were booed off following last weekend’s home league defeat to Stevenage.

But the Stags boss was much more encouraged by his side’s display against Plymouth.

“I thought we were very good in spells,” Murray concluded. “The lads showed what they can be about, so we took a lot of positives.”

“You’re always disappointed to concede goals, but I’m most disappointed with the second goal. If you actually look at it, it’s a blatant foul.”