City make it seven wins in a row

It was a record-breaking afternoon at Exeter City as they made seven wins a row, with a 4-0 win over Crewe Alexandra, to stay fourth in the League Two table.

City’s previous longest winning streak in a season had been six in a row, set in 1904/05 season and repeated in 1932/33 and 1976/77.

Added to that David Wheeler also scored for the seventh consecutive match, which broke a club record set by Henry Poulter in the 1932/33 campaign.

City manager Paul Tisdale made two changes from the side that beat Wycombe Wanderers 4-2 on Tuesday night as Ollie Watkins and Ryan Harley came back into the side at the expense of Joel Grant and Robbie Simpson.

However, Tis was then forced into another change before kick-off as Reuben Reid was injured in the warm-up and was replaced by McAlinden in the starting XI.

City got off to an excellent start as they took the lead inside seven minutes. The goal came from a perfectly-floated free-kick from Lloyd James that saw McAlinden go up for a header. The ball dropped down to the feet of Jordan Moore-Taylor who turned the ball home from a couple of yards out for his first goal of the campaign.

Watkins then had a great chance to make it 2-0 as the Crewe defence gifted him possession and he took the ball around John Guthrie, but Ben Garratt made a superb save to deny the City youngster.

Wheeler then had a backpost header deflected over before McAlinden had a good effort saved from Garratt.

City were dealt another injury blow on 30 minutes as Watkins was forced off with an ankle complaint. That seemed to give Crewe some impetus with George Cooper hitting the crossbar with a long range effort and then sending in a low free-kick that Jordan Bowery really should have turned home.

However, the half ended with City on top with Wheeler having a close range shot blocked and Moore-Taylor sending in another shot inches wide of the post.