Nigel Pearson's reign as Southampton boss got off to a poor start as goals from Peter Halmosi and James Paterson gave Plymouth an easy win at St Mary's.
Despite starting brightly, Saints went behind on the half hour when Lilian Nalis played in Halmosi, who clipped the ball past keeper Kelvin Davis.
And Paterson curled home a long-range effort for his first Plymouth goal to make it two just two minutes later.
Stern John and Wayne Thomas wasted the Saints' best chances as they fell away.
New Southampton boss Nigel Pearson:
"There are some good things we've seen but there's certainly lots to work on as well. I was under no illusions before I came here that it was going to be a difficult job.
"I understand people's frustrations about the result and aspects of the performance - it's my responsibility to put that right.
"There's plenty of room for improvement and I would have much preferred to get off to a winning start but it's important we don't sulk about that and get too despondent."
Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock on his former club's relegation worries:
"When you look at their team, they have some good players who should be doing
better than they are at the moment.
"I am sure they will get it right and start moving up the table. They have too many good players to go down."
Southampton: Davis, Thomas, Davies, Powell (Viafara 22), Vignal, Wright, Euell (Idiakez 77), Surman, Saganowski, John, Wright-Phillips (Hammill 46).
Subs Not Used: Poke, McGoldrick.
Plymouth: McCormick, Connolly, Timar, Anderson, Sawyer, Halmosi, Nalis, Abdou, Paterson (Teale 69), Easter (Mackie 82), MacLean.
Subs Not Used: Larrieu, Fallon, Wotton.
Booked: Connolly.
Goals: Halmosi 31, Paterson 33.
Att: 17,806
Ref: Gavin Ward (Surrey).
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