Two goals 60 seconds apart in the first half secured three points for City at Bristol City in the Premier League Cup.
Sonny Cox opened the scoring when he was found in the box by Jake Richards just past the half hour mark, before a quick press from kick-off stole the ball back almost immediately, and Tom Dean was able to tap it into an empty net.
Few chances came in the second half as the Grecians managed the game out and remained top of their group.
For City’s third match in this season's group stage, Dan Green named an experienced lineup with more than 100 first-team appearances combined. Ed James skippered the side, while Jack Fitzwater and Vincent Harper started as the Grecians' designated over-age players. Returning from a long-term injury that sidelined him since August last year, Gabriel Billington was also named on the bench.
First half
It was a cagey opening with neither side really taking early charge of the fixture, however Harry Lee had to be alert to come quickly off his goal line just a few minutes in to intercept up a Robins through ball.
The Robins aimed to press City high and pin them back, but the Grecians weren't fazed, and stuck to their style of playing out from the back.
This approach nearly paid off nine minutes in, when a move initiated by Jack Fitzwater on the left worked its way through the midfield, reaching Amani Richards on the right. The Leicester loanee cut inside and got a shot off, but it was blocked.
That chance breathed life into the game, and from there the chances flowed.
Vincent Harper attempted an ambitious volley after Tom Dean found him with a looping pass, but despite controlling the ball well on his chest, his shot veered wide.
Bristol City’s response came from a free-kick earned on the right just outside the box. Though the initial cross cleared everyone, a follow-up ball was met by Rob Atkinson, whose header narrowly missed the mark.
Then, in the 18th minute, Luke Skinner fired a low shot from 25 yards out, which Lee spilled before his defence quickly cleared the danger.
Jake Richards was looking like a threat all evening, and he laid on the ball for Sonny Cox to open the scoring just before the half hour mark.
Jake Richards played the ball into the box for Cox, and there would be no denying the forward from that area, and he knocked it past the keeper for 1-0.
City immediately pushed for more, and their aggressive press forced a turnover straight after the restart, resulting in a quick second goal. Cox dispossessed a Robins defender and unselfishly passed inside to Dean, who rolled it into an empty net.
Relentlessly the Grecians attacked, and they had the ball in the net again only minutes later. Cox bundled the ball over the line from a corner, but the referee spotted a high foot and disallowed the goal.
The pressure continued until the break, with another close call just before half time when Bristol’s keeper, Stefan Bajic, misjudged a ball 20 yards from his line.
Richards seized the opportunity and sprinted forward, but with one touch too many, he was forced wide and his shot found the side netting.
Second half
Much like the first half, the second period opened cautiously, though City managed to create a few solid chances. The best opportunity fell to Dean after a defender’s header from Amani Richards’ cross directed the ball right to him. Taking the shot first-time on the volley, he sent it well over the bar.
Following the late surge of chances in the first half, the second half saw fewer clear-cut opportunities.
Just after the hour, Jake Richards attempted a long-range shot from 25 yards after Amani Richards found him, but it drifted well wide. Oakes then took a similar attempt from a corner, his low drive rebounding off a crowded box.
The home side began to gain momentum, with Olly Thomas finding space on the edge of City’s box for one of their better chances, though his powerful effort flew wide.
Harry Lee was soon tested again when Bristol City earned a free-kick following Ed James’ foul near the edge of the D. Tom Chaplin’s well-placed attempt seemed destined for the net, but a diving Lee tipped it around the post and confidently claimed the corner that followed.
Few chances followed as the Grecians managed the rest of the game well, securing three points on the road.
There's more Premier League Cup action coming next week as City make the long journey to Norwich City, next Wednesday evening!
Bristol City U21: Bajic, James (C), Morrison, Campbell-Slowey, Atkinson, Hooper, Ali (Chaplin, 46'), Meerholz, Thomas, Skinner, Phillips (Filer, 84').
Substitutes not used: Casa-Grande (GK), Filer, Rowe, Taylor
Exeter City U21: Lee, A. Richards, Fitzwater, James (C), Cummins (Billington, 70'), Harper (Cayless, 46'), Oakes (Edgecombe, 87'), J. Richards, Beardmore, Dean, Cox (Cutler, 80').
Substitutes not used: Phillips (GK), Edgecombe.
Goals: Cox 31', Dean 33'