Tom Cleverley has hinted he will take his frustrations directly to the refereeing authorities after what he considers a run of costly decisions against Plymouth Argyle in the early weeks of the League One season.

The Pilgrims claimed a 3-2 win at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, a result that lifted them to within a point of the play-off places after five games. Yet Cleverley was far from satisfied when he spoke to BBC Radio Devon afterwards, pointing to a Bim Pepple goal ruled out for offside and a second-half penalty awarded against Matty Sorinola as the latest in a pattern he can no longer ignore.

"I think it could be time for a call with the referees," he said. "It's too many now. Too many game-affecting decisions that are just going against us."

Cleverley was careful to stay within the rules around post-match comment on specific decisions, but he made clear the concern stretches back before Saturday. "I can't comment on today's, but pre-today, the goal at Wycombe disallowed, it impacts the result, a goal disallowed against Stockport on the first day, it's too much. I'm not focusing on that today but I'm not pleased."

Managers seeking dialogue with refereeing bodies is nothing new in the third tier, and whether it produces any practical result is another matter. What it does reflect is a growing sense at Home Park that Argyle are not getting the rub of the green at a stage of the season when every point carries weight in a congested table.

Late goals settle a scrappy afternoon

The game itself turned on the final quarter of an hour. Alfie May had cancelled out Will Evans' opener with a penalty, threatening to deny Argyle what had looked a deserved lead. Pepple and Caleb Watts scored in the last 16 minutes to put the visitors 3-1 ahead, and Doncaster's stoppage-time goal was no more than a consolation.

Cleverley was generous in crediting his players' response to an equaliser that came at a difficult moment.

"They deserve a lot of credit today," he said. "The controllables, the work rate, the being there for each other, were all there. And then that gets even more difficult when a home team equalises early in the second half. The mentality was excellent today. That, along with the substitutes certainly, sees us leave with three points."

Two wins from five, but the bigger picture is close

Plymouth now sit a point outside the top six with five matches played, a record of two wins and two losses. The table at this stage of a League One season is rarely a reliable guide to anything, but the Cleverley camp will know that dropped points attributed to officiating decisions have a habit of looking significant come April.

The injury list already has its entries. Midfielder Tyrese Boateng faces an extended absence, while Sam MacKenzie is reportedly ruled out for at least two more weeks. In that context, keeping results ticking over, even if the manner is untidy, matters more than it might otherwise.

Whether Cleverley's planned conversation with refereeing officials changes anything on the pitch is doubtful. The Football Association and Professional Game Match Officials Limited receive these calls with reasonable regularity and seldom reverse decisions or alter referee allocations as a direct result. The real purpose, arguably, is to put the concern on record and to let players know their manager is fighting their corner. In that sense, it is as much a dressing-room message as a formal complaint.

Argyle return to Home Park next and will be expected to build on a second away win of the campaign. The referee's name on the team sheet will presumably be studied with extra interest.

Frequently asked

What did Tom Cleverley say about referees after the Doncaster game?
Cleverley said he is considering contacting the refereeing authorities, citing too many game-affecting decisions going against Plymouth across the early weeks of the season, including disallowed goals against Wycombe and Stockport.
What was the result of Doncaster vs Plymouth Argyle?
Plymouth Argyle won 3-2 at Doncaster Rovers, with Bim Pepple and Caleb Watts scoring late goals after Alfie May's penalty had drawn the hosts level.
Where are Plymouth Argyle in the League One table?
After five games Plymouth sit one point outside the play-off places, with two wins and two losses from their opening five League One fixtures.