The first 25 minutes was a dire affair in truth but Elliot Lee awoke the game from its slumber with a fantastic volley from inside the box to put the visitors in front. Harry Clifton was then denied after a good, free-flowing counter resulted in his driving shot being parried by Plymouth goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond.
Just as it looked as though Rovers' lead would last until half-time, the hosts drew level through Bim Pepple. Wes Harding had acres of space to pick out his cross which Caleb Watts nodded on for Pepple to prod home.
The hosts then had a glorious chance to go in front just after the break when Owen Bailey's outstretched arm blocked a shot and conceded a penalty. But Zander Clark was the hero as he dived down to his right to keep out a relatively tame Ronan Curtis spot-kick.
The Scotland international, however, was helpless to prevent Argyle going 2-1 up as Herbie Kane's free-kick sailed straight through on its way into the net with no touches from anyone inside the box. Grant McCann rolled the dice with 10 minutes to go as he made four substitutions all at once but the visitors couldn't muster a leveller as they made the long jaunt back to South Yorkshire without anything to show for it.
Here's how we rated the Rovers players in Devon:
1. Zander Clark 7
Barely tested in the first half apart from a Curtis effort that was comfortable. Nothing could do about equaliser but was the hero as he pawed away a penalty from Curtis. Didn't move for the second goal as Kane's free-kick sailed all the way in. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
2. Neill Byrne 5
Seemed to switch off for Pepple's goal as he ghosted in. Took a fair old whack second half but was ok to continue. Photo: Craig Hawkhead / AHPIX LTD
3. Jay McGrath 5
Was involved in the opposition box in large parts of first half but part of some defensive mishaps in his own. Photo: Craig Hawkhead / AHPIX LTD
4. Matty Pearson 4
Drafted in as part of a back three for his first league start since New Year's Day. Some odd decisions and never looked truly comfortable on the ball but put in a fine, last-ditch tackle to deny Pepple second half. Beaten too easily, too often. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD