Exeter City keep another clean sheet as Grecians return to form

Exeter City goalkeeper Joe Whitworth kept a third clean sheet in a row as with the Grecians having a settled backline has corresponded with a return to form. It is now four unbeaten for City after the 2-0 win over Mansfield Town on Tuesday night which saw them pull away from any relegation danger and up to 16 ^th place in League One.

City broke the deadlock with only eight minutes gone. Angus MacDonald played the ball across the face of goal and Mansfield goalkeeper Scott Flinders fumbled it straight to Demetri Mitchell, who was left with a simple tap-in from eight yards.

Three minutes into the second period, Exeter doubled their lead. Ed Francis delivered a corner to the back post and MacDonald powered in a header for his first goal for the club.

The Stags, who are winless in 14, failed to have a shot on target at St James Park. It was one of the more comfortable nights that Whitworth has had this season as he kept a 14 ^th clean sheet of the season – 13 in League One and one in the FA Cup – matching what City achieved in the previous season with ten games to go.

“It was a really good performance,” he said. “Mansfield were physical and tested the defense but we stuck firm and to get another clean sheet is really good and a good confidence boost for us. We are buzzing, special mention to the defence in front whining every ball. As a unit we were great so hope to keep going.

“The main thing was to play consistently and get good performances and clean sheets come with that. I want to add more to it and keep going and add more.”

For those three games, in front of Whitworth has been Ed Turns, Angus MacDonald and Alex Hartridge, all of whom arrived – or returned – in January. With a settled backline, and players fit and playing in their natural positions, it has seen that solidarity at the back which characterized the first part of the season return, as results have improved.

Whitworth added: “The consistency helps and get clean sheets and good results, and it is good to play in front of these three lads and hope to keep it going for the rest of the season. We hope to keep building and working on what we do better, which is getting us results.”

Exeter City are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Rotherham United. Tuesday’s win saw City move 10 points – and with a game in hand – away from the bottom four.