We're not getting rewards for our efforts, says Plymouth Argyle boss

MANAGER Carl Fletcher could not believe his struggling Argyle side came away from their game against Chesterfield on Saturday without any reward.

The Pilgrims were beaten 1-0, after a 66th-minute goal from striker Marc Richards, as they suffered a sixth defeat in their last seven League Two games.

Fletcher thought the result was harsh on his players after the endeavour they put into the match.

He said: "I'm going to end up sounding like a broken record. We have dominated the game in every sense.

"We had more attempts at goal, more possession and more corners. It just didn't bounce for us.

"It seems to be the way we are going. All the hard work we are putting in isn't rubbing off for us.

"We should have had a penalty in the second half but the ref didn't see that one.

"It's tough to take really. The pleasing thing is the lads are playing well and working so hard for one another.

"That's a massive bonus for us. Obviously, the down side is we are just not getting results."

Fletcher continued: "We don't just smash the ball around and hope something goes our way. We try to get in certain areas.

"We try to make the right decisions at the right time, and that might be a long pass or a short pass.

"We have been working on getting on the front foot and really trying to keep teams penned in when we can.

"I thought we did that well. We just didn't have that little bit of luck to go our way."

Argyle had loud appeals for a penalty in the 81st minute when a cross from substitute Joe Lennox struck an outstretched arm of Chesterfield left-back Nathan Smith.

However, the incident was not spotted by any of the match officials and referee Graham Scott allowed play to continue.

Fletcher said: "It was a clear one. It hit his (Smith) arm three yards inside the box. The linesman was that side as well.

"I'm not sure why he hasn't seen it. That's just the way it's going at the minute. We must have driven past a few black cats, I think."

Midfielder Mark Molesley made his debut for Argyle, after signing on loan from League One outfit Bournemouth on Thursday.

The 31-year-old played from start to finish in what was his first competitive match of the season.

Molesley returned to training a month ago after recovering from an Achilles injury but could not break into Bournemouth's side.

That led to him moving to Argyle, and Fletcher was pleased with the new recruit's performance against Chesterfield.

Fletcher said: "He's experienced, has played in this league before and he showed some good energy and quality.

"He kept the ball and made forward runs. Obviously, he was tired at the end but I'm really pleased to have him here."

Argyle had 16 attempts at goal compared to Chesterfield's six, and also forced 13 corners while the visitors had only one.

The only statistic that really matters, though, is the result, and that went against the Pilgrims.

Fletcher said: "We could have easily won that game two or three-nil and been quite comfortable.

"I'm disappointed for the lads because they worked really hard and didn't get the rewards they deserved."

The game was played on a near-perfect playing surface despite more than four inches of rain falling since last Wednesday.

The pitch at Home Park was relaid in 2010 and the drainage underneath it is clearly working wonders.

Fletcher said: "You could pour the Atlantic Ocean on it and it won't affect it. It's hard as nails really.

"It's probably too hard at times, especially in the summer. But for days like this it was never an issue."