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 and Akeel Higgins struck in either half as the Grecians were convincing winners against their arch-rivals.
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. Higgins doubled the advantage early in the second half to send St James Park into raptures, while Argyle, who have failed to win four of their past five league games, remain in the relegation places on goal difference.
A Ferocious Opening
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 when Argyle's Brendan Wiredu had a goal ruled out for offside after Exeter failed to deal with Matty Sorinola's floated free-kick, with replays suggesting a City man diverted the ball into Wiredu's path and thus playing him onside.