Reece Cole and Akeel Higgins give Exeter City victory over Plymouth Argyle in Devon derby

Exeter City were convincing winners in the Devon derby as goals in either half from Reece Cole and Akeel Higgins gave them a 2-0 win over arch-rivals Plymouth Argyle.

Exeter started well with Danny Andrew firing over the bar in the first minute.

Argyle went straight down the other end and had the ball in the net, but it was chalked off for offside.

Cole forced Conor Hazard into a good save with a dipping half-volley from 20 yards, while Ilmari Niskanen struck the inside of the post after another swift Exeter attack.

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Delightful finish

Cole doubled the Grecians’ lead after 18 minutes when a defensive mix-up saw Hazard’s clearance fall straight to him 25 yards out, and he guided a superb, controlled finish into the empty net.

Argyle came back into the game towards the end of the half and created a few half-chances.

However, it was Higgins who made it 2-0 with his first career goal after 58 minutes when Ethan Brierley put him through on goal and he clipped a delightful finish over Hazard and into the net.

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