Wright-Phillips, playing as the lone striker for Peter Reid's Pilgrims, struck with the opening goal in the 28th minute when he cleverly hooked home Craig Noone's free-kick.
Wright -Phillips doubled his tally by heading home Noone's inch perfect cross from the left in the 57th minute, leaping between two City defenders to beat Artur Krysiak with a trademark deft finish.
Plymouth started brightly and man of the match Noone crossed from the right for Joe Mason, who glanced a header towards goal and the touch it took off the head of City central defender Troy Archibald-Henville's sent the ball off the face of the crossbar.
The Grecians were reeling in front of a near sell-out 14, 347 attendance and were let off when Plymouth full-back Onismor Bhasera's shot was cleared.
City keeper Krysiak made a brilliant save to keep out Rory Patterson's thumping low drive and was similarly well placed to save Kari Arnason's thumping long range shot.
Source: PA
Source: PA