Shrewsbury did not do the basics – Paul Hurst
Boss Paul Hurst conceded that his beaten Shrewsbury side did not do enough of the basics as Plymouth left Montgomery Waters Meadow with a deserved three points.
The in-form Pilgrims responded to going a goal down in the opening exchanges to netting either side of half-time.
Derek Adams' men had the better of the chances both before and after the break and deservedly became just the second side, after Bradford, to enjoy a win at Town in the league this season.
It was the first time Shrewsbury have lost this term after leading. Town remain second as Blackburn could only draw with Oldham, while leaders Wigan lost at Southend.
Hurst made two changes to the side that won at Bristol Rovers, with Max Lowe and Alex Rodman replacing Omar Beckles and Shaun Whalley. But he insisted that those were not the downfall of his side, instead the inability to battle for first and second balls.
"Yes we've got options to rotate," said the boss. "I'm sure there might be a couple of questions asked, why change a winning team? But we've got a lot of games coming up.
"Max came in and did exactly what we wanted in terms of setting up that first goal. It certainly wasn't his performance or Rodders in terms of changes that cost us the game.
"The biggest thing, as a defensive unit and all across the pitch, we didn't win enough second balls, enough headers, which is unlike us.
"And certainly in my old team-mate Ryan Taylor, he showed how to play centre-forward today. He was a real handful.
"He was a platform to push us back and then you've got the wide lads who can cause problems if they get the ball."
Argyle frontman Taylor, who played alongside Hurst at Rotherham, succeeded in proving a handful for Toto Nsiala and Mat Sadler, allowing flair widemen Ruben Lameiras and Graham Carey space to operate, as well as ex-Town man Antoni Sarcevic.
Hurst added that his side appeared disjointed despite impressive in the game's opening quarter, where they led through Carlton Morris' tap in.
When asked if home truths were required in the dressing rooms at full-time, Hurst responded: "A little bit. But I've asked for feedback because we want to look at ourselves.
"I don't like giving players excuses. What I can deal with is honesty. We didn't play well enough first-half alone.
"Everything you want, to be on the front foot, have a good start, we got those. But then you have to build on that.
"We couldn't, it seemed disjointed, but a lot comes from me, from the basics. Winning second balls, headers, and then you can play from there.
"That's where they had that platform at the top end of the pitch. The ball didn't go straight back that often because of Ryan Taylor using his body and strength.
"Even if he didn't head it he upset Sads (Mat Sadler) and Toto (Nsiala) and it's amazing how those little details that won't be seen by fans as fantastic play, make a big big difference and I'm sure all his team-mates will be extremely grateful for what he did for his team."
