Caleb and Cole spark panic for the Pirates

By Edward Lapish

BRISTOL ROVERS 1

Sotiriou 70

BRISTOL ROVERS: J Ward 6, Hunt 6, Wilson 6, Taylor 7, Swinkels 7 (Sinclair 69, 6), Sawyers 6, G Ward 5 (Thomas 46, 6), Shaw 6, Butcher 6 (Hutchinson 46, 6), Sotiriou 7, O’Donkor 5 (Dewsbury, 69, 6). Subs not used: Hall, Moore, Mola.

EXETER CITY 2

Watts 11, Cole 42

EXETER: Whitworth 6, Turns 6, Fitzwater 6, Hartridge 7, McMillan 7, Cole 7 (Colwill 59, 6), McDonald 6 (Woods 59, 6), Niskanen 6, Watts 7 (Francis 74, 6), Yogane 6 (Harper 59, 6), Cox 6 (MacDonald 85, 6). Subs not used: Richards, Oluwabori.

Att: 9,508 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Matthew Russell 7/10

BRISTOL ROVERS manager Inigo Calderon led crisis talks after his side slipped into the relegation zone following a defeat by Exeter at the Memorial Stadium.

Rovers’ players were booed off after they suffered a sixth-straight defeat as goals from Caleb Watts and Reece Cole paved the way for victory for their West Country rivals.

The Spaniard said: “It is true that we had a good chat with everyone, all the staff and players.

“We probably needed that, everyone realises it now but at this moment we are a League Two club.

“It was not about shouting, I’m not that kind of guy because that doesn’t help. But we have to realise we are defending a club and a lot of people behind it.

“We are letting them down and hopefully it will be a turning point.

“It was a strange game because we needed a high tempo but we weren’t as quick as we should have been.

“We are not in the right place mentally. We have to be stronger in those situations when we concede. We have to do things better.”

Watts put the Grecians in command after 11 minutes when he punished the home defence’s failure to clear by driving a low angled shot beyond Jed Ward’s dive.

Sotiriou almost levelled soon after but his low shot was saved by impressive on-loan Crystal Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.

Cole strengthened Exeter’s grip on the contest three minutes before half-time when he acrobatically volleyed Ilmari Niskanen’s cross past Ward.

After the hosts were booed off at half-time, Sotiriou sparked Calderon’s side into life with 20 minutes left when he slipped the ball past Whitworth to set up a tense finale.

Rovers youngster Kofi Shaw went close with an ambitious effort, but Gary Caldwell’s defence stood firm to secure three points that should be enough to secure their status in the division next season.

The Exeter boss expressed disappointment the margin of victory was not greater. “It should have been 3-1,” Caldwell said. “We had brilliant chances in the second half on the counter attack.

“We should have scored a third before they got a goal and then when they did score it was always going to be backs against the wall. But this team has proven time and time again that when we’re put under pressure we can defend our box incredibly well.”