The 28-year-old won four qualifying matches to reach the final stages of a major event for the first time.
He resumed 5-4 down after losing the final three frames on Saturday, lost the first two on Sunday and despite a brave Pagett rally, Cope held on.
Ding Junhui fired two centuries for an 8-1 lead over Jamie Burnett.
The colourful Pagett created quite an impression on his first appearance at the Crucible with his pink bow tie and pink trimmed waistcoat and trousers.
Cope took a 9-5 lead but struggled to close out the one remaining frame he required for victory.
In the 18th frame Pagett was 10 points behind on the final red and snookered but though he escaped superbly he left the red over the centre pocket.
Cope potted it but broke down and Pagett looked to have seized his chance, needing just the pink to make it 9-8.
But as he lined up to play the shot, he was distracted by the light from the adjacent table being switched off, and after he regrouped he missed the pot.
Cope prevailed in the subsequent safety exchange and held position for the decisive black.
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