Sunderland took the lead in the first half after Patrick Roberts dispatched a penalty, which was won by Chris Rigg after Bali Mumba’s foul in the box.
The Black Cats took their goal advantage into the half-time interval but conceded shortly after the break as Anthony Patterson’s superb save was turned into the net accidentally by Dan Ballard, who could do nothing to prevent the own goal.
The hosts then took the lead with 73 minutes on the clock through a Ryan Hardie penalty after a foul from Ballard in the area. With just four minutes left of normal time, Romaine Mundle bagged Sunderland an equaliser.
But in stoppage time Joe Edwards fired home to hand Wayne Rooney his first league win as Plymouth boss and Régis Le Bris’ first Championship loss.
Here’s how our chief football writer Phil Smith rated each Sunderland player against Plymouth Argyle in the Championship:
9. Patrick Roberts
Took his penalty very well and almost scored a free kick from deep shortly after. Ran with the ball very well and created some good openings that could and probably should have yielded more. 7 | Getty Images
10. Romaine Mundle
Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Didn’t always make the right decision but was so persistent and beat his opposite player so many times. Scored a fine goal and should have had at least one assist with a string of brilliant crosses. 8 | Frank Reid
11. Eliezer Mayenda
Threatened on the break at times and got into some decent areas without the ball ever really breaking for him. Didn’t have many attempts at goal but went close just before being replaced. A relatively quiet afternoon. 5 | Frank Reid
12. Alan Browne
Used the ball well after coming on in the second half and helped Sunderland wrestle back some control but it proved not to be enough as Plymouth snatched the win late on. 6 | Ian Horrocks