Alfie May pulled no punches after Doncaster Rovers dropped three points at home to Plymouth Argyle, describing the goals conceded as "sloppy" and suggesting the result was avoidable.

A costly afternoon at the Eco-Power Stadium

Plymouth won 3-2 in a contest that, by the final whistle, left the Doncaster dressing room frustrated rather than deflated. The scoreline tells you there was no shortage of attacking intent from either side, but May's verdict centred on the manner of the goals Rovers gave up rather than any lack of effort going forward.

The striker was direct in his assessment, pointing to moments where Doncaster switched off or surrendered possession in dangerous areas. Those lapses, he suggested, handed Plymouth the foothold they needed to come away with all three points.

It echoes a theme Grant McCann has touched on during the early weeks of the season. After a 2-2 draw earlier in the campaign, the Rovers head coach spoke openly about his side giving the ball away too cheaply. Saturday's defeat suggests that habit has not yet been fully ironed out.

May's own contribution

Despite the result, May's willingness to engage in post-match media and call out the performance for what it was reflects a dressing room that holds itself to account. The striker has been among Doncaster's sharper performers in the early going, and his reaction here carries weight precisely because he is not deflecting blame outward.

Both teams found the net, which underlines that this Doncaster side can create and convert. The concern, on this evidence, is at the other end. Conceding three goals at home in a single League One fixture is a platform from which it is very hard to win.

Plymouth collect another away win

For Plymouth Argyle, the victory continues a positive early run. Tom Cleverley's side had already beaten Bradford City on the road this season, and collecting three points at Doncaster further reinforces their credentials as genuine contenders in the third tier.

Plymouth have been without defender MacKenzie for a fortnight and are still finding rhythm with summer additions, yet they have the quality to punish sides who gift them opportunities. On the evidence of May's own comments, Doncaster did exactly that on Saturday.

What now for Doncaster?

McCann will need responses quickly. The League One calendar offers little time to dwell, and Rovers cannot afford to let individual errors compound into a habit that drags them into the wrong end of the table.

The squad has been strengthened in recent weeks, with loan arrivals adding depth in key areas. But squad quality counts for little if the side continues to donate goals through loose play and lapses in concentration. May's blunt verdict is, in that sense, both a diagnosis and a challenge to his own team-mates.

Doncaster supporters will want to see a sharper, tidier performance next time out. If the reaction in the dressing room matches the candour on show from May in front of the microphone, there is reason to believe it will come.

Frequently asked

What was the score between Doncaster Rovers and Plymouth Argyle?
Plymouth Argyle won 3-2 at Doncaster Rovers' Eco-Power Stadium in this League One fixture.
What did Alfie May say after the Plymouth defeat?
Doncaster striker Alfie May criticised his side's defensive errors, labelling the goals conceded as 'sloppy' and suggesting the defeat was avoidable.
How are Doncaster Rovers doing in League One this season?
Doncaster have shown they can score goals but have struggled with defensive lapses in the early weeks of the League One season, costing them points at home.