Grecians cruise past Chesterfield in FA Cup

Exeter City grabbed their place in the third round draw for the FA Cup with an efficient 2-0 defeat of Chesterfield at St James Park.

After successive defeats in the league, City set about their task with a confident opening, Jack Aitchison forcing an early save from Chesterfield custodian Max Thompson before Josh Magennis also went close for the Grecians.

Chesterfield had little answer to City’s relentless attacking and reward eventually arrived in first-half stoppage time, Tristan Crama heading home from a corner.

The visitors enjoyed a brief spell of pressure early in the second period but City soon re-established control of proceedings, deservedly sealing their place in Monday’s draw with a close-range finish from Magennis.  

City manager Gary Caldwell told the club website: "We took control right from the start. We went back to our traditional 3-2-2-3 and caused them problems in wide areas with our speed. We could have scored more and that's something we need to improve, and we can be more ruthless.

"We had total control and it wasn't in doubt. It is a good place to be after two defeats, it's never easy. We had to regroup.

"The cup is never easy as we knew they would come and have a go, but we are in the hat for the next round and that is all that matters."