PLYMOUTH ARGYLE manager Tom Cleverley apologised for an “unacceptable” performance after the Pilgrims slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Stevenage.

Goals from Michael Mellon, Josh Magennis and substitute Phoenix Patterson condemned Argyle to back-to-back League One defeats for the first time since early February, with the visitors dropping to fifth after sitting top of the table last week.

Cleverley made no attempt to hide his disappointment after seeing his side lose for the second time in four days, following Saturday’s humbling 2-0 home defeat by Huddersfield Town.

“I absolutely hold my hands up and apologise for that performance this evening because it’s unacceptable,” said. “When you represent a big club, you get a lot of pats on the back when it's going well and these players have built up some credit over the last 11 months.

“But that can diminish very quickly with performances like that and we need to not take that support for granted – you need to earn that support, you need to earn those pats on the back and we certainly didn't do that tonight.”

Argyle fell behind after 19 minutes when Mellon, making his first league start for Stevenage after seven substitute appearances, fired a low shot into the net from the edge of the area following a link-up with former Exeter City striker Magennis.

The hosts doubled their advantage eight minutes later. Ben Broggio drove down the left and his cross-shot was pushed out by former Stevenage loanee Murphy Cooper, allowing Magennis to drill home from close range.

Ronan Curtis threatened twice with first-half headers for Argyle, who showed greater urgency after the interval, particularly following the introduction of Xavier Amaechi at half-time.

However, Stevenage remained in control and wrapped up the victory seven minutes from time when Dan Kemp surged through the middle before setting up fellow substitute Patterson to finish.

Cleverley said the lack of fight and competitiveness in his side’s recent performances was a major concern.

“The bare minimum I have to coach, demand, pick a team to be able to do is compete and the last two games we've not at all,” he said.

“If you don’t compete, if you don’t win duels, if you don’t land on seconds, if you don't run and fight then you’re going to find it difficult to score goals and difficult to keep it out the back of your net and that is what tonight looked like.”

The Argyle boss was particularly unhappy with the contrast between the two teams, believing Stevenage's forwards had caused far more problems.

“Two centre forwards who were well managed by two centre-halves at one end and two centre forwards who caused mayhem at the other end, and in between that not much better either,” he added.

Cleverley now faces the task of lifting his players ahead of Saturday’s fixture at Cambridge United, with questions to answer after two disappointing displays.

“A lot of questions from the last two games and it’s my job to provide the answers and real clarity and direction come Thursday to make sure we know exactly how to go get a result on Saturday,” he said. “I’m pretty sure top of the priorities will be picking a team that is going to fight and compete.”