The visitors started brightly but fell behind midway through the first quarter, the hosts going through the phases during their first incursion into the Rams’ 22, the ball eventually kicked left for Craig Duncan to collect and dot down out wide.

Tom Putt landed a superb conversion, but the away side rallied and nearly grabbed an opening score as a strong maul made its way towards the line, the ball then sent right to Solodrau Radianirova whose outstretched arm was unable to ground cleanly.

However, they made amends shortly afterwards with another set-piece, captain Max Hayman returning to the scorer’s enclosure before Fraser Honey slotted the extras.

Plymouth came back, though, and it took a stunning defensive play from Tom Vooght to deny Seta Raumakita, the Navy man having blasting over from close range before the boyhood Ram somehow got himself under the ball.

The visitors’ discipline was starting to wane, however, and a pair of high tackles in midfield – the second perhaps harshly given against the irrepressible Robbie Stapley – saw Putt strike two penalties for 13-7.

The full-back had a third chance from halfway, but with the final action of the opening 40 minutes he pushed his effort to the right of the posts.

Rams came out of the blocks firing at the start of the second period, and on his 50th cap, Dan Swain blasted his way over following a spell of sustained pressure on the Plymouth line.

Honey was on target again, but it took another sensational try-saving tackle from James McRae to deny Ratakudreu, the Army ace dancing through midfield before he was chopped down just short.

The pressure was coming on and it took a huge defensive set to deny Albion, but having cleared their lines, a Rams’ infringement allowed Putt to push his side back in front.

The maul again came to Rams’ aid, though, and Hayman made it nine for the season before Honey landed for 21-16.

Plymouth refused to yield, however, and for the final five minutes were camped inside the visitors’ 22.

A couple of hurtling mauls were kept out, but Albion did cross the line at the death, only for replacement scrum-half Ollie Cole to hold it up.

Referee Alan Chandrachaud returned for another penalty kicked to the corner, but McRae’s wonderful line-out steal – reminiscent of Ollie Taylor at Chinnor – ensured the most dramatic of victories.

Rams have a week off before welcoming Sedgley Park to Old Bath Road on Saturday, November 9.