Winning start for manager Matt Taylor as Exeter see off Carlisle

Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA

The Matt Taylor era at Exeter got off to a superb start as the Grecians started their Sky Bet League Two campaign with a 3-1 win against Carlisle.

The hosts raced into a two-goal lead after 26 minutes thanks to goals from Nicky Law and Jonathan Forte, but Richie Bennett pulled one back for the Cumbrians before half-time.

Carlisle dominated for long spells in the second half but Tristan Abrahams scored in the third minute of stoppage time to make sure of a home win in the first competitive game since Taylor succeeded long-serving manager Paul Tisdale.

Exeter opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Law exchanged passes with fellow debutant Forte before firing past Joe Fryer in the Carlisle goal.

Danny Grainger rattled the underside of the crossbar with a superb free-kick for Carlisle, but it was soon 2-0 when Lee Holmes picked out Forte, who found the roof of the net.

The Cumbrians found a way back into the match eight minutes before half-time when Bennett planted a superb header past Christy Pym.

But their hopes of a late equaliser were dashed in added time when Law and Jayden Stockley combined before substitute Abrahams finished off the move to net on his debut.