PLYMOUTH Argyle missed the chance to move top of League One after suffering a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Burton Albion at Home Park.

Jack Armer struck the only goal in the 71st minute as Burton ended Argyle’s three-match winning run and handed Tom Cleverley’s side a disappointing setback.

The Pilgrims would have climbed to the summit with victory but struggled to produce their usual intensity, particularly during a flat first half.

Cleverley admitted his side were below their best and demanded a response from his players.

“I think the word to certainly describe us first half would be flat,” he said. “We don’t lose that many duels, we don’t lose that many second balls and we don’t have that little attacking play when we do the things we are good at.

“I can accept missed chances, I can accept balls given away, I can’t accept a lack of intensity, especially not here.”

Argyle did create chances but were unable to find a way past Burton goalkeeper Corey Addai.

In-form striker Bim Pepple, who had scored four goals in his previous four games, came closest in the first half when Ronan Curtis’ superb cross found him at the far post. Pepple’s header drifted narrowly wide after Addai was unable to reach the delivery.

Burton remained a threat and eventually broke the deadlock when Armer reacted quickest to a loose ball after Argyle goalkeeper Murphy Cooper produced a brilliant save to deny Caylan Vickers.

Argyle pushed for an equaliser and substitute Caleb Watts saw a header superbly tipped over by Addai just two minutes later.

Cleverley added: “The big thing for me is how do we not lose those games?

“You can’t be at your best every game, so we are going to have days where we are off it a little bit, but those are the days you need to come away with a point.

“We simply cannot lose that game today with the chances we had and the lack of chances they had. We need to improve that.”