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Cole gives Exeter lead and Higgins adds second after break Grecians win first Devon derby in two and a half years Plymouth had won four of five past league meetings between clubs Exeter up to 13th in League One Plymouth, relegated last term, remain inside drop zone in 21st Kate Holloway and Joe Boon FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter will be lording the bragging rights around Devon all weekend but they won't be the only ones celebrating come Saturday night. The weekend will see our top two both face some worthy challengers as league leaders Cardiff kick us off with a trip to Bolton Wanderers before Stevenage host fellow high-fliers Bradford City. At the other end of the spectrum, basement sides Blackpool and Peterborough will be facing off to try and avoid being bottom of the pack. Sound good? You know it does so we will see you right here on Saturday for all League One and Two's finest action. FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Plymouth Argyle Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley speaking to BBC Radio Devon: "It was nowhere near it, we weren't dominant in any phase of the game, if that's the case you struggle to take anything from the game. I could maybe give you a ten-minute period, but if that's the case you're not going to get very much. "We're not defensively stable, when the opposition doesn't have to do much to score you struggle. Creatively we weren't good enough either, but moving forward my aim is to make us more defensively solid. "On the eye, we don't look like we're creating enough, we've tried every system to try and unlock that tonight. The attacking data is similar to the year Argyle got promoted - at that time there was a Whittaker or a Hardie, but where we're getting to on the pitch is very similar. "Different groups of players respond to derbies in different ways, some like it to be built up and they respond to that, others like it to be played down and just another day, we were definitely the former. " FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter City Exeter boss Gary Caldwell speaking to Sky Sports: "I've had two derbies before and we probably performed better. "We knew that on transition we would have loads of positive moments and I knew we'd be a threat throughout the game. "I think we can look after the ball better but in terms of effort and taking information from Wednesday, I thought the players were outstanding. "I felt there was only one team in the game in the opening 20 minutes. Into the second-half, we looked edgy. "We took a step back instead of a step forward. But I think there was only one team who deserved to win the game and that was us. " On Akeel Higgins: "It's took a bit of time in training to get to the physical level. .. but he's got there. We felt like he was getting closer and closer to a start. "He has real quality. I was a bit nervous for the finish - I'd rather see him put his foot through it - but if he wants to chip the goalie like that, I'll take it. " Use button at top of page or #bbcefl Men against boys. Argyle have been awful. Shaun Oremans, Penzance We are going to be relegated for sure we are hopeless, the manager must resign come on. Jonny, Plymouth Worst Plymouth team ever. League 2 incoming. John Knowles, Plymouth Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter City Exeter City goal scorer Akeel Higgins speaking to Sky Sports: "My first derby, I just had to repay the gaffer. "I had a couple of chances before and I thought I needed to put this one away. I took a touch and just knew I had to dink it. "We needed this win and it's an even better fashion doing it in a derby. " FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter City Exeter's Josh Magennis spoke to BBC Radio Devon immediately after the Grecians secured all three points in the Devon derby: "It was unbelievable, both teams went in with a lack of form, but form goes out the window in a derby. "The derby puts an edge on it, but the accountability we put on ourselves made the difference, it wasn't about playing Plymouth, but it's always nice to win the derby. "The result puts pressure on the teams above us and we can go and enjoy a long weekend now. " Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter City Exeter City captain Pierce Sweeney speaking to Sky Sports: "Brilliant. Our body language and our attitude we had from the first minute. "We dug in the last fifteen to twenty minutes and showed our character until the end. " On bringing in talent like Akeel Higgins: "A big shout out to our recruitment team and the gaffer. We seem to do it every year. " FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth You can check out Brent Pilnick's on-the-spot report from St James Park by clicking the 'report' tab at the top of the page. But now let's grab some reaction. .. FT: Exeter City 2-0 Plymouth Argyle Brent Pilnick BBC Sport at St James Park Exeter's players and fans are dancing to Freed From Desire (more royalties for Gala. .. ) and the party will go on for a while yet. Meanwhile Argyle's players sheepishly walked off as their fans make the relatively short trip home. Bragging rights are staying in East Devon tonight. .. .. FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter gain some space between them and Plymouth to climb into 13th. They get to enjoy the comfort of mid-table whereas their Devon rivals. .. well, it's looking bleak for the Pilgrims who could sink even lower if Burton Albion beat AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Chris Todd Former Exeter City defender on BBC Radio Devon We started the game really aggressive, really intense and thoroughly deserved the win. Second half, it was a really professional performance and definitely deserved the three points. FT: Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter take their first Devon derby victory in six years to leave Plymouth dwindling in the bottom four. Akeel Higgins earns his maiden senior goal after looping his shot over the keeper to give Exeter a cushion and ease them into a comfortable second-half. A well-earned win for the hosts while Plymouth failed to impress. There will be some sceptical eyes on Tom Cleverley, that's for sure. Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Exeter's Danny Andrew is suffering and needs to come off. Luca Woodhouse gets a few minutes to enjoy being part of an excellent derby night for the Grecians. Exeter 2-0 Plymouth There's an additional five minutes left to play but the sting has gone. Plymouth will have to magic up something utterly gob-smacking to change the tide now. Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Brian Mc Glinchey Former Plymouth Argyle defender on BBC Radio Devon It's been a tough night for Tolaj, I don't think he's had one opportunity. He's been starved, I think we could play all night [and not score] - I don't like to be critical, but it's been a poor night. Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Argyle Brent Pilnick BBC Sport at St James Park 'Is there a fire drill' is the chant towards the Argyle fans from the Exeter supporters as the away end rapidly empties ahead of full time. I'll be honest, a fire drill would be the most excitement we've had in this last 20 minutes. .. .. Use button at top of page or #bbcefl Absolute embarrassing, Cleverley hasn't got a clue he has to go. We need a manager who knows League One and can get the best out of a team of bad players. Ian Gould, Plymouth Cleverley a Rooney in disguise. Steve, Plymouth Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Plymouth substitute Owen Oseni hasn't been on the pitch too long but he's already made an impact. Not a good one. He sticks his arms out and pushes down an Exeter player to find himself in the bad books. Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Chris Todd Former Exeter City defender on BBC Radio Devon The City defence have been brilliant, they've dominated both strikers which is something we worried about with Tolaj being a top player, but he's had nothing. It must be very difficult being a striker in that Plymouth team at the moment but brilliant from Exeter. Exeter 2-0 Plymouth Brent Pilnick BBC Sport at St James Park I don't want to give this game the old commentator's curse, but with less than 10 minutes left I cannot see any way back for Argyle. They look devoid of any attacking ideas and, quite frankly, are a team defeated. Tom Cleverley really has his work cut out to get his squad over this game - having also had disappointing results against Wigan and AFC Wimbledon in their previous matches. Reece Cole's opening goal was his first since August for Exeter City Exeter City beat Plymouth Argyle 2-0 to win their first Devon derby in six years and keep their rivals in the League One relegation zone. Reece Cole gave Exeter the lead following a defensive mix-up, after a full-throttle opening 10 minutes that saw an Argyle goal disallowed and the hosts hit the post. Akeel Higgins doubled the advantage with a calm finish after being put through on goal early in the second half to send St James Park into raptures. Argyle, who have failed to win four of their past five league games, remain in the relegation places on goal difference. Meanwhile, only Exeter's second win since the end of August pushes them up to 13th place in a congested bottom half of League One. The game began at a ferocious pace at St James Park The game got off to a ferocious start as Exeter's Danny Andrew blazed a shot over the Plymouth bar inside the opening 30 seconds. Controversy followed as Argyle's Brendan Wiredu had a goal ruled out for offside when Exeter failed to deal with Matty Sorinola's floated free-kick - with replays suggesting a City man diverted the ball into Wiredu's path, thus playing him onside. But Exeter should have been in front inside the opening 10 minutes as Jayden Wareham had a shot blocked with a good sight of goal, Pilgrims keeper Conor Hazard tipped over an excellent half-volley from the edge of the box by Cole and Ilmari Niskanen struck the post with a curling low drive. Cole finally got the goal his side deserved when Hazard and his defenders got into a muddle over a long ball and the Northern Ireland goalkeeper's weak clearance fell to the Exeter playmaker, who calmly curled it into the open net from outside the box. Argyle recovered from their poor start and gradually got a foothold in the game as the half wore on - Lorent Tolaj had a shot saved by Joe Whitworth while a covering Andrew headed an Plymouth effort safely over his own bar. But Argyle's good work before the break was undone within 13 minutes of the restart as Higgins – who had almost been put through moments earlier – latched on to Ethan Brierley's through-ball before calmly beating Hazard to double Exeter's tally as the West Bromwich Albion loanee scored his first senior goal. Tolaj had a close-range effort blocked soon after, but the life began to drain from the visitors as the Exeter fans revelled in just their second league win over their big rivals in nine years. As morale-boosting as this win will be for Exeter – who had won just once in their previous eight games – it will be equally as galling for an Argyle side who were expected to be challenging at the top end of the division after their relegation from the Championship last season. Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley told BBC Sport: "It was nowhere near it, to be honest. "We weren't dominant in any phase of the game - so that's defensively, from an attacking perspective, [or] from a competing perspective. "If that's the case, then you struggle to take anything from the game. "I could maybe give you a 10-minute period before half-time that I could cling on to from that performance, but I'd be clutching at straws for anything else" After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 23rd October 2025 at 21: 54 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Gary Caldwell Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Tom Cleverley Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2 Manager: Gary Caldwell Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Tom Cleverley Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2 League One All competitions All competitions All competitions Exeter City have alternated between winning and losing their last six home league games against Plymouth Argyle (W3 L3), losing their last 1-0 in April 2023. Plymouth Argyle have won four of their last five league games against Exeter City (L1), one more victory than across their prior nine meetings with the Grecians combined. Exeter have won just one of their last seven league games (D1 L5), scoring just three goals in total during that time. After winning each of their last two away league games, Plymouth will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since May 2023 when they won each of their last five in League One en route to promotion. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.