Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth secured their first victory in five Championship games by defeating bottom-placed Portsmouth 1-0.
Substitute Michael Obafemi scored a solo goal in the 82nd minute to break the deadlock in this clash on the south coast at a packed Home Park.
The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland forward outmuscled Pompey captain Regan Poole to latch onto a long ball from Argyle goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw. He then struck a low shot into the corner past goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.
Plymouth had an early scare when a far-post effort from Poole was disallowed for offside.
Midfielder Morgan Whittaker, who was brought back into the team, initiated Plymouth’s first meaningful attack in the sixth minute with an impressive run from deep within his own half before passing to Darko Gyabi.
Gyabi, another Plymouth player recalled by Rooney, swiftly crossed the ball into the box for Rami Al Hajj, but the attacking midfielder couldn't make proper contact.
It took 10 minutes for Plymouth to earn a corner, and from the resulting clearance by Schmid, Hungarian center-back Kornel Szucs attempted an acrobatic shot which the Pompey keeper comfortably caught.
Portsmouth looked more threatening in the opening stages, with left-back Connor Ogilvie's header saved on the line by Grimshaw following a corner in the 16th minute.
While a cross from Freddie Potts went begging after 35 minutes, Portsmouth found success with their next attack in Plymouth’s penalty area.
Josh Murphy's cross from the left was met with a diving header by Matt Ritchie, but Grimshaw denied him with a save.
This prompted Plymouth to respond, and Gyabi came close at the other end, narrowly missing the target after connecting with a goal-bound header from Andre Gray.
Just before the break, Portsmouth midfielder Potts narrowly missed the target with a low shot from an angle.
In the 54th minute, Andre Dozzell's half-volley from 20 yards flew just over Grimshaw’s bar, followed by Kusini Yengi delivering a dangerous cross across the goalmouth moments later.
Argyle's best chance fell to midfielder Jordan Houghton, who had a low shot from inside the box tipped around the post by Schmid in full stretch.
A solo effort from Whittaker was ruled out for offside in the 63rd minute before Obafemi's goal ensured Plymouth maintained their unbeaten record in their last five home games.