💬 Matt Taylor: "The manner of the way we conceded the goal is disappointing"

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor says he was disappointed with the manner that the Grecians conceded two penalties as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat away from home at MK Dons.

The Dons won the game through Kieran Agard’s penalty, despite the striker missing his first attempt as Christy Pym made the save following Dean Moxey's handball and subsequent red card.

Agard was then given another opportunity from the spot after a second City handball from Jayden Stockley gave him the chance to convert as he made no mistake the second time.

Following the result, Matt said: “Obviously it is disappointing. The manner of the way we conceded the goal is disappointing. To do it once (give away a penalty) is poor from us, to do it twice is disappointing. It really is.”

Despite Dean Moxey being sent off for a second bookable offence, which led to the first penalty, the Grecians rallied after going behind and saw a lot more of the ball, which pleased the City boss.

“The positive signs are that we were excellent with 10 men,” said Matt. “We shifted the ball well and started to build a little bit of pressure.

“I thought for the rest of the game, especially the first half it was a pretty cagey affair. Neither team wanted to fully commit to what they were doing. They didn’t want to make mistakes and the standard was pretty low to be honest with you. Second half, obviously those decisions change things. I have not seen them back but maybe the lads have got a slight nudge. However, the moment you raise your hands in the penalty box you are asking for trouble.”

The Grecians, who travel to Fulham on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, will look to bounce back quickly against the Premier League side, and Matt says his side can’t make a habit of conceding those sorts of goals.

He continued: “We generally don’t give away cheap goals. I don’t want us to make a habit of it, that’s for sure. The bonus I’ll take from today is how we played with 10 men. We really did grow into the game and created some half chances. It’s always difficult against 11 men, they’re a good team as well.

“It’s a disappointing day, obviously we’ll get a suspension through Dean Moxey and Jonathan Forte has picked up an injury so it’s a hurtful day all round.

Matt also says that with Forte suffering from an injury, which saw him substituted after 10 minutes, and with Moxey’s suspension, players will have opportunities to come in and make an impact in the side.

Matt said: “We don’t know yet (about Forte’s injury), it happened in the first minute and it looks like a muscle injury which is a problem because he is a quick player, a sprinter, so we’ll find out how long he will be out for.

‘It’s another opportunity. Luke Croll came on and did really well and Dara O’Shea will get game time. The lads in and around it on the fringes of things will get game time. They’ve all got to be ready. I’ve got a good enough squad to deal with it, that’s for sure.”