The Grecians were left frustrated on Tuesday evening as Birmingham City ran out 2-0 winners at St James Park.
A goal in each half was enough to secure all three points for the Blues, with City unable to find a response. Tomoki Iwata netted the opener, before City academy graduate Jay Stansfield sealed the victory with a penalty 10 minutes from time.
After Saturday’s defeat at Wrexham, Gary Caldwell reshuffled his lineup with three changes for the clash against Birmingham City. Ryan Woods returned from suspension, Jay Bird earned his first League One start, and Vincent Harper also rejoined the starting eleven. With Ben Purrington dropping out of the squad, Ed Francis filled into the left centre-back position.
First half
In the driving rain, City almost shot themselves in the foot just two minutes in, when Joe Whitworth’s clearance fell straight to a man in blue. Two great blocks by Tristan Crama denied the visitors twice though before Exeter cleared their lines.
Ten minutes in though, Birmingham took the lead with a pinpoint finish from Tomoki Iwata. The Grecians couldn’t clear their lines, and when a cross in from Krystian Bielik was only headed away to the edge of the penalty area, Iwata drilled an effort low into the bottom corner.
Birmingham almost had a second immediately after the restart, but Alfie May’s header from Alex Cochrane’s cross went wide.
City regrouped after a pause in play due to a Whitworth injury, and began to find their footing. Ilmari Niskanen tested his luck with a deflected long-range effort, but Birmingham continued to pose a danger.
A free-kick found Krystian Bielik unmarked at the far post, and his header across the box presented a golden opportunity for Willum Willumsson, who should have done better with his effort in the centre.
After a period of calm, Whitworth produced a crucial save to ensure the score remained 1-0 as the first half drew to a close. When the Blues broke to the byline and pulled the ball back for May, Crama's instinctive block deflected it dangerously toward goal. Reacting instantly, the City keeper stretched out a foot to make a vital stop.
Second half
The second half began much like the first, with Birmingham maintaining their threat. A corner whipped in dangerously skimmed past the far post, before Willumsson came close again, sending a free-kick narrowly over the bar.
There were few clear-cut chances for either side, but Cochrane came closest in the 69th minute with a whipped free-kick that Whitworth had to punch over the bar.
Caldwell made three substitutions to inject fresh energy into his side, and City began to see more of the ball. Their first major opportunity of the half for those in red and white came with 13 minutes to go when Jack McMillan sent in a fantastic cross to Josh Magennis, but the Northern Irishman’s header into the ground lacked power and failed to trouble the keeper.
The chance seemed to wake Birmingham up, and Jay Stansfield soon had a sight of goal, though his 25-yard shot was deflected away by a City defender.
With eight minutes remaining, Birmingham struck the decisive blow. A clearance from Crama was intercepted by Willumsson, whose cross back into the box struck Francis’ arm. The referee pointed straight to the penalty spot, and Stansfield made no mistake, sending Whitworth the wrong way to double the visitors’ lead.
City had a shot on target through Magennis in the closing stages, but couldn't fashion anything of note as the former Premier League side left St James Park with all three points.
The Grecians are back at home on Saturday in FA Cup action, hosting League Two Chesterfield. Get your tickets here.
Exeter City: Whitworth, Niskanen, Sweeney (C), Crama, Francis, Harper (A. Richards, 73'), Woods (Doyle, 73'), McMillan, Aitchison (Watts, 88'), Bird (Cox, 58'), Magennis.
Substitutes not used: MacDonald (GK), Fitzwater, McDonald.
Yellow cards: Crama 28', Francis 63', Woods 64', Doyle 84'
Birmingham City: Allsop, Klarer, Bielik (C), May (Dykes, 75'), Sueng-Ho (Leonard, 85'), Anderson, Willumsson, Cochrane, Iwata, Davies, Stansfield (Harris, 95').
Substitutes not used: Peacock-Farrell (GK), Laird, Leonard, Gardner Hickman, Yokoyama.
Yellow cards: Davies 39', Bielik 61'
Goal: Iwata 11', Stansfield 83' (pen)
Attendance: 7928 (998 away)