New signing Matt Crooks, whose arrival was completed on the morning of the match, opened the scoring inside 15 minutes after converting Uche Ikpeazu’s cutback inside the penalty area.
Boro controlled possession for large parts of the first half, yet Plymouth pulled a goal back 12 minutes after half-time when Macaulay Gillesphey headed home from a corner which caught the visitors off guard.
The game was settled in the 68th minute, though, when Marcus Tavernier linked up with substitute Jeremy Sivi before converting with a fine finish.
Warnock also handed a start to trialist Jamie Paterson, who linked up with the squad at the start of the week but hadn’t played in previous friendlies due to an ankle injury.
Here’s how each Boro player fared against Plymouth.
The game was settled in the 68th minute, though, when Marcus Tavernier linked up with substitute Jeremy Sivi before converting with a fine finish.