Plymouth Argyle could not come anywhere close to matching the intensity of arch rivals Exeter City as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 in the first Devon derby of the season at St James Park.

The Pilgrims were second best all over the pitch, quite ragged at times, and showed little fight after falling two goals behind shortly before the hour mark. The angry reaction of the 1,100-strong travelling Green Army at the end of the match was completely understandable.

City had gone close to opening the scoring a couple of times before Reece Cole put them ahead in the 18th minute when he slotted home after a clearance from Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard went straight to him.

The Pilgrims’ task became even harder in the 58th minute when Akeel Higgins raced clear and chipped the ball over the adv

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