“We have to be better in final third and more clinical. 29 shots and only four on target tells the story of the game, and we cannot concede as easily as we did. They didn’t come to score but we gifted them the opportunity.”

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell was left disappointment and frustrated after his Grecians side slumped to a fifth successive loss. Wigan Athletic came away from St James Park with all three points after a smash-and-grab win.

Martial Godo put the Latics ahead in the eighth minute when he slotted home from close range after City were caught out by a long ball over the top. But that was pretty much all Shaun Maloney’s side offered as an attacking threat as they sat back deep.

The Grecians but failed to make the most of their pressure. City had 72 per cent possession, 29 shots, 17 corners – but failed to force Sam Tickle into a single save until stoppage-time – when a whole flurry of chances went begging – where City hit the post and had one cleared off the line.

They were costly as on the break, Jordan Jones saw a deflected effort sneak home – it went down as a Will Aimson own goal – to seal the victory and a 2-0 triumph. It is now five defeats in a row for Exeter in League One, and seven in eight in all competitions – but Caldwell was happy with 99 per cent of what he saw on Saturday.