A pair of stoppage-time goals saw Plymouth Argyle book their place in the EFL Cup second round with a Devon Derby win over Exeter City.
The hosts started the brighter of the two sides, but struggled to make their possession pay against their League Two opposition.
Argyle started to take control as the first half came to a close with Jack Bycroft forced to deny Matihas Ross from close range before Aribim Pepple was denied an opening goal following a handball in the build up.
Exeter made their way back into the game in the second half but lacked quality in the final third as the game trudged towards penalties.
The Grecians were forced to play the final few minutes with ten men when Ethan Sutherland received a second booking after pulling back Matthew Sorinola.
Sutherland had only been introduced off the bench in the second half and was making his competitive debut for Exeter having joined the club on loan from Wolves this summer.
With the game seemingly destined for penalties Alex Hartridge finally broke the deadlock in stoppage time as the former Exeter man headed home on his debut for his new club.
The hosts pressed their advantage with just moments remaining and Pepple capitalised on a defensive mistake to make it 2-0 to Argyle.
Plymouth will now face Premier League Coventry City in the EFL Cup second round later this month.
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City Timeline
- 20' - Yellow card for Charlie Cummings
- 46' - Substitution for Exeter. Harry Kite replaced Jake Doyle.
- 65' - Substitution for Exeter. Ethan Sutherland replaced Gwion Edwards.
- 66' - Substitution for Exeter. Josh Gordon replaced Taylor Perry.
- 67' - Substitution for Plymouth. Matthew Sorinola replaced Xavier Amaechi.
- 72' - Substitution for Exeter. George Birch replaced Reece Cole.
- 77' - Substitution for Plymouth. Julio Pleguezuelo replaced Mathias Ross.
- 78' - Yellow card for Ethan Sutherland.
- 88' - Red card for Ethan Sutherland.
- 90' - Substitution for Plymouth. Frederick Issaka replaced Wes Harding.
- 90+2' - GOAL for Plymouth. Scored by Alex Hatridge, assisted by Harvey White.
- 90+4' - GOAL for Plymouth. Scored by Aribim Pepple, assisted by Frederick Issaka.
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City Match Stats
Plymouth Argyle | 2-0 | Exeter City |
63% | Possession | 37% |
2.40 | Expected Goals (xG) | 0.69 |
21 | Shots | 8 |
6 | Shots on Target | 1 |
1 | Goalkeeper Saves | 4 |
4 | Big Chances | 1 |
9 | Corners | 3 |
361 | Total Passes | 216 |
74% | Pass Accuracy | 51% |
11 | Successful Tackles | 13 |
31 | Clearances | 48 |
0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
0 | Red Cards | 1 |
