Tom Cleverley's Plymouth claimed their first League One win of the season, ending Bradford's winning start at windswept Home Park.
Harvey White scored a superb long range 50th minute goal to seal a 2-0 home win after being teed up by Tyreeq Bakinson.
White's 25-yard strike took a slight deflection as it flew low into the corner, out of the reach of diving Bantams goalkeeper Jon McCracken.
Plymouth's first-half pressure finally resulted in a 44th minute goal for recalled Spanish central defender Julio Pleguezuelo, who found the corner of the net through a crowded goalmouth after the visitors failed to effectively clear Oli Irow's cross.
McCracken made a brilliant diving stop to keep out Ronan Curtis' goalbound 55th-minute shot on the run.
Earlier, Will Evans fired over from 10 yards after Alex Mitchell's volley flew back off a defender and fell invitingly to the Argyle forward in the 27th minute.
City striker Will Swan was put through on goal by Jackson after a defensive mix-up but fired wide when closed down by keeper Murphy Cooper 10 minutes later.
Report supplied by PA Media.
Tom Cleverley: 'It's been a very testing start to the season'
Alexander: 'We didn't show our real quality today'
