Bristol City mounted no real defence of the LDV Vans Trophy they won last season as Plymouth took their goals tally to 10 for the week.
A few days after thrashing Tranmere 6-0, two goals from stand-in striker Nathan Lowndes, a gem of a goal by full-back Peter Gilbert – his second in a week – and another from Marino Keith sent Argyle's visitors back up the M5 empty-handed Keith, who also scored on Saturday, started the rout with a low 30-yard drive, and only the goalkeeping of Mike Stowell prevented him from having a hat-trick by the interval.
Lowndes added the second in first-half injury time, finishing off a goalmouth scramble with a fierce shot, and Gilbert made it three 10 minutes after the break, finishing off a beautiful dribble by poking the ball past Stowell.
Lowndes rounded things off just before the end, finishing off a five-man move begun by substitute Blair Sturrock, with a close-range strike.