More misery for struggling Exeter City

A thumping defeat at promotion-chasing Stevenage, coming hot on the heels of a prize asset departing the club, summed up another miserable week for Exeter City.

The Grecians said farewell to exciting young forward Millenic Alli in midweek after he was snapped up by Luton Town and it is now eight games without a league victory, plunging Exeter to 17th in the table and just seven points above the drop zone.

City enjoyed a fine start in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, Josh Magennis slotting a penalty after just two minutes, but Stevenage responded with pace and precision.

Eli King made amends for conceding the penalty by pouncing on a Cheick Diabate mistake to level on 11 minutes and more sloppy defending from City allowed Dan Kemp space to cross for Jordan Roberts to convert at the back post.

City stayed in the game until 15 minutes from time, when Kemp scored a rebound effort and Stevenage added salt into a gaping wound with a galloping run from former Grecian Jamie Reid, who teed up Roberts for a simple finish.

Exeter now have ten days to work hard on the training ground before a daunting home clash with Premier League high-fliers Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.