Grecians slump to defeat at Crawley

While Exeter City have the reassurance that they will definitely be playing League One football next season, manager Gary Caldwell will want his team to improve their performance levels after a drab Easter weekend.

The Grecians were held to a tepid 0-0 draw at home to struggling Burton Albion on Good Friday, and followed that with a poor 3-1 loss at Crawley Town, another side fighting for their lives in the bottom four.

A stinker of a start proved costly in Sussex for City, as Crawley took control of the game. In a sign of things to come, former Plymouth Argyle midfielder Panutche Camara tested the reflexes of City custodian Joe Whitworth on just four minutes.

Moments later, Crawley grabbed the lead. Whitworth again showed his quality with an outstanding save, but the rebound fell for Rushian Hepburn-Murphy to convert at the far post.

The Grecians had barely digested that setback when the deficit doubled, Hepburn-Murphy releasing Camara for a lung-bursting run from midfield, and he still had the energy to steer a super finish into the top corner.

Two became three midway through the first half, Hepburn-Murphy again pouncing from close range. A deft finish from Sonny Cox quickly reduced the arrears but City were unable to recover from their bleak opening, and the 3-1 defeat was given a late dash of gloom when Ed Francis was dismissed for a second yellow.

City play their final home game against Huddersfield this weekend and then travel to Mansfield on the last day.