Exeter City’s Under-18s Lead Coach, Tom Donati, admitted there were some ‘real positives’ after his side secured a 3-2 win away at Bristol Rovers U18s at the weekend.

“I’m really pleased. The game was difficult, and they made it a real physical battle, and, along with the weather, there were several mitigating factors that made things tough, but this was a big step in the right direction.”

City made the breakthrough when they built an attack from goalkeeper Dylan Shanahan, before they moved through the thirds with a real swagger. Santino Ohanaka received possession on the edge of the box, and he fired a low shot inside the near post to open the scoring.

With Exeter well in control, they made it 2-0 later in the half when they switched play from right to left. A cross came into the middle, and George Spencer climbed highest to send a header into the back of the net.

The Pirates came back in the second half and enjoyed a prominent 10-minute period when they scored two quick-fire goals to level the contest.

Almost immediately after the equaliser, the visitors responded with another forward surge and won the game with a Theo Cutler strike.