The Italian ended a flowing counter attack to leave the Pilgrims rock-bottom of the Football League, though it was not for a lack of trying on the hosts part, their eight shots on target finding determined Swindon bodies between them and the back of the net.
It was Plymouth, looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games, who started the brighter, a barrage of corners eventually leading to two efforts on goal. Curtis Nelson initially found the back of teammate Matt Lecointe, before the rebound looped up for Robbie Williams to volley into the arm's of Wes Foderingham.
Central defender Nelson was a constant threat when lurking in the Swindon penalty area, as two more of his strikes required blocks from visiting bodies, either side of Jake Jervis' header going narrowly wide at the other end.
With his side on the back foot Cristian Montano took it upon himself to take the game to the fragile Plymouth defence. The Colombian managed to skin two defenders before letting the moment slip, his final shot rolling comfortably into the grateful palms of Argyle custodian Jake Cole.
Robbie Williams late free kick, held by the strong hands of Foderingham, summed up the first half as the home side worked hard for no reward.
Paulo Di Canio's half time team-talk appeared to motivate Swindon for the second half as the visitors began to stroke the ball around more confidently, adding an extra yard of pace to the game.
Birmingham loanee Jake Jervis twice missed the target when well placed while two short-corner routines caught the Plymouth defence cold, though Jonothan Smith's header was the best chance to result from them.
Argyle were not done yet, however, as their best chance of the match came and went within the blink of an eye, Conor Hourihane's inswinging corner finding the forehead of Jamie Griffith. With the substitute's bullet header flying goalwards Foderingham instinctively threw a hand up, tipping the ball over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, with the home side pressing for the winner, Swindon broke downfield, the ball making it's way to Matt Ritchie on the right hand side, the ex-Portsmouth youth crossing for De Vita to beat Cole with a low angled drive.
With the game almost up Argyle fought valiantly for a route back in, but not even the presence of Cole in the Swindon area for a late corner could force the equaliser, leaving the Pilgrims five points adrift of safety, while the Robins move to just a point away from the League 2 play-off places.
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