Christmas cracker secures Exeter City victory

A sublime goal from Millenic Alli ended a run of six league games without victory for Exeter City at struggling Burton Albion.

The Brewers, languishing near the bottom of Sky Bet League One, gave new manager Gary Bowyer the ideal start when Billy Bodin drilled a low strike into the bottom corner on just eight minutes.

The Grecians gradually regrouped and were deserving of the equaliser scored by Josh Magennis on the stroke of half-time, nodding home from close range after a cross by the lively Alli.

A fabulous save from Joe Whitworth kept City level in the second period, setting the platform to seal all three points with a wonderful curling effort that clipped the underside of the bar before nestling in the home net.

City manager Gary Caldwell told the club website: “Today asked a big question of the players' character and belief, and they answered it.

"The answer was incredible. The chances we created as we gained control, we should have been ahead at half-time, but we kept doing the right things and made the right changes.

"We need to score more goals and make it more comfortable, as we're always under pressure, but the players deserve all the credit for the way they reacted to a difficult situation and it was incredible how they played.

"We are still working to be better in the final third, and I can see improvements."

City can now look forward to a Boxing Day visit from Bristol Rovers.