Substitute Martin Phillips scored within six minutes of his introduction to help Plymouth to a hard-fought win over struggling Mansfield.

Phillips had hardly touched the ball when good work by striker Michael Evans allowed him to slot the ball home into an unguarded net to put the home side 2-1 ahead after 68 minutes.

Evans then made it 3-1 with a superb volley on the turn with the final whistle approaching, and Paul Sturrock's side could have added another but midfielder David Friio missed the target in the dying seconds.

Plymouth had taken the lead within minutes of the kick-off when David Worrell's cross from the right was headed into his own net home by Mansfield's Liam Lawrence.

Lawrence made amends when he equalised from close range, getting on the end of Wayne Corden's cross.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Worrell, Aljofree, Coughlan, Adams, Norris, Bent, Friio, Beresford, Evans, Stonebridge. Subs: McCormick, McGlinchey, Phillips, Keith, Bernard.

Mansfield: Pilkington, Hassell, Day, Gadsby, Doane, Lawrence, Curtis, Disley, Corden, Andy White, Mendes. Subs: Jason White, Williamson, Beardsley, Mitchell, Baptiste.

Referee: S Tomlin (E Sussex).