Plymouth claimed their first home victory of the season thanks to Alan Judge's late penalty against Scunthorpe.
Plymouth ease pressure on boss Sturrock
Plymouth claimed their first home victory of the season thanks to Alan Judge's late penalty against Scunthorpe to ease the pressure on Paul Sturrock.
Judge, on loan at Home Park from Blackburn, struck from the spot in the 76th minute, moments after Gary Hooper had restored parity with a penalty of his own.
The Pilgrims had initially taken the lead through Rory Fallon after the break and held on for three crucial points despite the Iron pressing for a second equaliser.
Both sides show positive intent early on and Argyle goalkeeper Romain Larrieu had to be alert to keep out Cliff Byrne's header from a Josh Wright corner.
Plymouth replied and it took a good block from Rob Jones to deny Jamie Mackie five minutes in.
But the Iron started to get on top and Paul Hayes tested Larrieu with a shot from the edge of the area before midfielder Sam Togwell fired over the bar from 12 yards out.
Fallon was wasteful at the other end, blasting a left-footed strike over the crossbar from 18 yards out.
Former Colchester midfielder Karl Duguid shot straight at Scunthorpe keeper Josh Lillis, making his first Championship start of the season, as Plymouth grew in confidence.
The home side were almost caught out six minutes before half-time, however, when Hooper found space, but Larrieu parried away his right-foot finish.
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Hooper was almost made to pay for that miss when Fallon rose highest to meet Gary Sawyer's cross three minutes before the break, but Lillis tipped the former Swansea striker's header over the bar.
But the same pair combined 11 minutes into the second half to put the Pilgrims in front when Sawyer crossed for Fallon, who powered a header into the bottom-left corner of the net.
The lively Sawyer was almost on the scoresheet himself on the hour-mark when the ball fell to him 12 yards from goal, but the defender blazed over the bar.
Jones had an opportunity to restore parity after 67 minutes but the giant central defender headed Josh Wright's free-kick over the bar.
Plymouth were being pushed onto the back foot and Garry Thompson dragged a left-foot strike wide of the target.
But the Iron were level after 73 minutes when Larrieu brought down Martyn Woolford in the area and the prolific Hooper made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick, his sixth goal of the season.
Scunthorpe must have fancied their chances of going on to win the game, but they were behind once again just over a minute later after a penalty from the other end.
Judge was upended by Lillis and the midfielder picked himself up to beat the visiting goalkeeper to give the home side three precious points.
