Plymouth did not find life so easy in the third division between 1998 and 2001, they could only manage to finish each of the three campaigns in the fourth tier of English football in a disappointing 13th, 12th and 12th positions respectively. They enjoyed a decent run in the FA Cup during the 1999 – 2000 campaign however it was ended as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Preston north End. The following campaign saw the Pilgrims stumble out of the league cup and F.A Cup in the first round as they suffered defeats against Chester City and Bristol Rovers respectively.
The 2001 – 2002 season was one of the finest for Plymouth in their recent history. They were crowned champions of the third division at the end of the 2001 – 02 campaign, gaining an incredible 102 points during the season winning 31 matches and only suffering six defeats.
Marino Keith and Graham Coughlan were in outstanding form for the club through out the season.