YOUTH: Exeter City 3 Argyle 1

Argyle's Academy youngsters can count themselves unfortunate to have lost their opening South West Regional Merit League tie against Exeter City at the Cliff Hill Training Ground.

The result certainly hinged on the 40th minute sending off of central defender Ethan Mitchell, who was dismissed as the last man as the Grecians broke clear.

Argyle were leading 1-0 at that time and looked good value until they were down to 10 men.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, it was not until the last 10 minutes that the home side scored twice to take the points.

A positive opening by the Greens was rewarded in the 20th minute, when Charlie Miller's long-range effort hit both posts before nestling in the back of the home net.

The woodwork, kind to Miller earlier in the game, proved less so for Rhys Shirley, whose rasping 25 yard drive crashed against the Grecians’ crossbar.

It took the home side until the 65th minute to level matters against the 10-man Pilgrims, through Sonny Cox. Even then, Argyle hit back, with both Oscar Halls and Ali Mansaray sending headers straight at the home goalkeeper.

It was not until the 80th minute that the Argyle defence was undone, with Charlie Hanson converting after a set piece.

Exeter made sure of the points with skipper Jack Veale scoring from the penalty spot in the last minute of the game.

Argyle: Tyler Coombes, Oscar Halls, Oscar Rutherford, Ethan Mitchell, Ali Mansaray, Will Jenkins-Davies, Carlo Garside (Jeffery Forkuo 70), Charlie Miller, Angel Waruih, Oscar Massey (Jamal Salawu 75), Rhys Shirley. Substitutes not used: Lewis Moyle, Jack Endacott.