Gary Johnson admitted Bristol City's 3-2 stoppage-time defeat to Plymouth Argyle was soul-destroying.

Wales international Carl Fletcher's late winner – a superb long-range shot – consigned City to another heart-breaking late defeat.

Relegation-threatened Argyle had taken a half-time lead with goals from Chris Clark and Bradley Wright-Phillips, before Nicky Maynard's first goals of the year pulled City level.

However, a late red card for Jamal Campbell-Ryce, for two bookings, led to City conceding again.

"It was soul-destroying," said the City boss. "We have done it again with a last-minute goal. We didn't start well but we came out in the second half and gave it a go.

"The momentum was with us when we went to 2-2.

"The sending off was a key moment and that has cost us the game. We gave it a go but we have lost three points.

"The headline of our season is we just let in late goals. It has become a bit of a habit. That was really, really disappointing."

Johnson took heart from his side's second-half display and Maynard's well-taken double

"We came out a lot more aggressive," he said. "Our quality was a lot better, and then Nicky got his two terrific goals – one a set-play he struck well and one in open play which he also struck well. That is a good sign for us. But we need to be better than we were in the first half.

"We sent them out a lot more aggressive and they responded.

"The goalkeeper made a great save from Jamie McAllister and we were only inches away from drawing the game at the end when Marvin Elliott struck it from the kick-off and he was almost caught out."

Johnson admitted debutant striker Stefan Maierhofer, the loan signing from Wolves, was not match-fit.

"He wasn't quite ready for a local derby with that type of commitment," he said. "He hasn't had too many games recently. We thought about taking him off pretty soon after halftime, but we had the ascendancy so we kept him on.

"He needs to do a lot more to be a regular in our team. He hasn't even trained with the players so maybe that is my fault for putting him straight in."

It was the worst possible way for City to warm up for Saturday's visit of Championship leaders Newcastle United.

Fifteenth-placed City are still seven points clear of the relegation zone but are now a full 10 points off the play-off places following last night's results.

Argyle boss Paul Mariner said: "City caused us all sorts of problems.

"My heart sank at 2-2 but I knew my players were up to it. Maybe we just deserved it. If it was a boxing match we won seven rounds to five."

Meanwhile, Dutch midfielder Evander Sno made his comeback after back trouble and scored in a reserve game at home to Forest Green yesterday afternoon.

Brian Wilson, who has missed most of the season with a shin injury, featured for 80 minutes in a 1-1 draw.