But there was little to get excited about on the pitch as Stoke's lowest league crowd of the season witnessed a dire encounter.
Pulis was warmly applauded by the Stoke fans as he entered the arena, but there was little else to enthuse about as the game got off to a scrappy start.
The first incident of note saw City striker Mamady Sidibe stretchered off in the 18th minute after a nasty clash of heads with Mathias Doumbe.
It looked an accidental collision, but referee Mike Riley booked Doumbe and Sidebe was immediately replaced by Hannes Sigurdsson.
Plymouth finally threatened five minutes before the interval, Lilian Nalis' fierce drive from Tony Capaldi's corner was deflected narrowly over the top.
But neither goalkeeper was extended at all throughout a truly dreadful first 45 minutes.
Plymouth made a much brighter start to the second half, with Nick Chadwick inches from applying the finishing touch to crosses by David Norris and Vincent Pericard in the opening two minutes.
And Stoke threatened for the first time in the 51st minute when Carl Hoefkens drove a 25-yard shot a foot wide of the target.
City came closer still just past the hour as Hoefkens provided a perfect cross for Sam Bangoura, who had been slated by Boskamp for his late return from the African Cup of Nations.
Bangoura looked certain to score when his head met the ball six yards out, but Romain Larrieu produced a superb reflex save high to his left.
But that was about it as far as serious goalmouth incident was concerned, with both sides showing little adventure and even less quality in the closing stages.