Argyle replaced their visitors in fifth place in the Nationwide Second Division as they extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a comfortable victory over Barnsley.
Central defender Graham Coughlan and recalled forward Mickey Evans scored the goals that gave the Pilgrims a fourth win of the season that put them within three points of leaders Port Vale.
Add in a first clean sheet of the season for rookie goalkeeper Luke McCormick and this was a most satisfying result all round, even if the game against a side that quite often reminded you of Argyle away from home in recent seasons rarely sparkled.
Barnsley goalkeeper Sasa Ilic had already made a couple of stops to deny Argyle midfielder David Norris when he was finally beaten by Coughlan in the 38th minute.
Coughlan profited with a far-post header from a cross by fellow Dubliner David Worrell that had been flicked on by Evans.
Barnsley hit the bar with a header from tall New Zealander Rory Fallon towards the end of the first half, but that was as near as they came from breaching the Argyle defence which held on for a first clean sheet of the season.
Ilic was to the fore again in the early stages of the second half, parrying Paul Wotton's drive after the skipper had been teed up by Evans, clutching Evans' header at the foot of his left-hand post, and twisting in mid-air and tip Marino Keith's goalbound header away.
Evans set the seal on the win in the 75th minute stooping to convert Peter Gilbert's pinpoint left-wing cross.