McDermott: To be outfought hurts

Last updated : 30 December 2009 By Angus Muller

Caretaker boss Brian McDermott admitted: "I didn't see it coming. We had a really bad day, really disappointing.

"If you come to a place like this and don't win your individual battles that's what can happen to you and that's what happened to us today.

"The fact they have out-fought us hurts more than anything. I don't know where that has come from. I didn't expect that.

"From the start I didn't think there was anything in the game and then we gave the penalty away.

"We got ourselves back into the game at 2-1 and have then given another poor goal away.

"All we can do now is look forward to the next game - and that's against Liverpool (in the FA Cup) - and it's a massive game."

Argyle boss Paul Mariner was surprised his side picked up two great wins in 3 days over Cardiff and Reading.

Mariner said: "Can I believe it? This may sound a little strange but yes and no.

"The players at this club have been magnificent in every single aspect, professionalism, thirst for knowledge, learning new stuff and putting it into practice. They are joy to work with."

Mariner admitted scoring four at Home Park was a good way to end a goal drought that has seen them score once in six games before Monday's win.

The former England striker added: "There's nobody on the planet that can tell you how it comes about. You go through barren spells, dry spells, and all you can do is keep working and the players have been terrific and they got some just desserts today."