HEAD Coach Paul Mariner remains convinced Plymouth Argyle can escape relegation from the Championship.

The Pilgrims' plight worsened when they lost 1-0 to promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion at Home Park on Saturday.

It was their 17th defeat in 27 league games this season and leaves them six points adrift of safety.

West Brom striker Simon Cox scored the decisive goal in the 66th minute.

But Mariner took a lot of encouragement out of Argyle's battling display against the Baggies.

He said: "The one intangible in football is team spirit.

"Every single successful club has got a fantastic team spirit. We have got a fantastic team spirit, but we are just on the wrong end of some results at the present moment.

"I'm sure it's going to change. The players are totally committed to the cause.

"I really couldn't wish for a better group. They are everything a coach or manager would want.

"If we continue to show the same fight, I'm convinced we are going to be okay."

Argyle are 23rd in the table, five points behind 22nd-placed Reading, who won 2-1 at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

And the Pilgrims will play Reading at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow in a match they cannot afford to lose.

Mariner said: "We have got players in that dressing room who can't wait for Tuesday night.

"I had to lock them down so they are not in tomorrow (Sunday).

"They wanted to come in, but I don't want them in. They are going to rest up with their families. I think that's the best policy."

He added: "I'm proud of what they are doing, even though we got done."

Most of the Green Army seemed to share the same view, because they applauded the players off the pitch after the final whistle.

"It's pretty unusual to get that reaction from the crowd when you lose 1-0 at home," said Mariner.

West Brom have been beaten in only one of their 15 away league games this season, winning eight of them and drawing six.

But manager Roberto Di Matteo saw the Baggies pushed all the way by Argyle.

Mariner said: "I'm sure Roberto knows his side have been in a decent encounter. They didn't have everything their own way.

"They defended very well and we knew they were going to hit us on the break because they have got type of player."

It was from one swift counter-attack, launched a superb diagonal pass from Graham Dorrans, which led to Cox's winning goal.

Dorrans played the ball out wide to Jerome Thomas and he crossed deep into the penalty area.

Argyle defenders Reda Johnson and Gary Sawyer could not deal with the danger and Roman Bednar set up his strike partner Cox.

He was only eight yards out and volleyed past Argyle goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Mariner was disappointed with the way his side conceded the goal, but did not seek to apportion blame to any individuals.

He said: "If you look at the particular play that cost us the game, it's something we know not to do.

"There is always something that hurts us.

"At the present moment, we make one error and we get punished for it."

Mariner would not elaborate on what the mistake had been.

"I'm not going into it, but we know what the error was and we paid the price," said the Pilgrims' boss.

Argyle had appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Steve Tanner in the 37th minute after a challenge on Jamie Mackie by Gabriel Tamas.

Mariner said: "I had a decent view of it and I thought Jamie got taken down, but the referee decided not. That's fair enough. That's part of the game."

Tanner did award a penalty to West Brom in the closing stages of the game, however.

David McNamee, on as a substitute for the injured Karl Duguid, conceded the spot kick. He miscontrolled the ball after Stockdale had parried away a fierce shot from Chris Brunt.

McNamee then tripped West Brom's Luke Moore as he tried to make up for the mistake.

Dorrans took the spot-kick but Stockdale, making his third appearance for Argyle on loan from Fulham, beat it away.

Mariner said: "There was no doubt about the penalty. David McNamee took an extra touch and paid the price, but it was a super save.

"Overall, how can I be disappointed with that performance? I can't."