Winless run continues for Exeter City

Exeter City have now gone six league games without a victory and this latest setback was all down to a dismal first-half display at St James Park.

While the Grecians remain a comfortable 11 points clear of the relegation zone in Sky Bet League One, conceding three first-half goals at home to Blackpool was a tough return for City, who eventually went down to a 3-1 defeat.  

There was little sign of the trouble ahead when Pat Jones pinged a long-range effort over the bar and a lovely touch and strike from Jake Richards was deflected narrowly wide for the Grecians.

Blackpool responded with Tom Bloxham cutting inside his man and drilling a shot against the foot of the post. City were back in the ascendancy with a sweeping move that culminated in a Demetri Mitchell cleared at a stretch by the visitors.

The Tangerines, however, were growing in menace, Ashley Fletcher wasting a fabulous chance to open the scoring. Josh Magennis replied with a low drive that brought out the best from Blackpool ‘keeper Harry Tyrer.

Things then went all wrong for City, conceding three goals in the space of 13 minutes.

CJ Hamilton was first to strike for Blackpool, finishing off a swift counter from the visitors, and it got worse for Exeter when Bloxham was gifted space in behind the home defence to calmly round Joe Whitworth for an easy finish.

The Grecians badly needed a half-time regroup, but the chat became increasingly difficult for City manager Gary Caldwell as Fletcher made amends for his earlier miss top score a third for Blackpool.

City were much improved after the break, although, to be fair, it was only a 13-minute blitz that ruined the first-half display.

Blackpool, however, never really looked like relinquishing their healthy advantage and when Millenic Alli scored with an angled strike on 82 minutes, it was only a consolation for Exeter, who will hope for better at home to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.