Gary Caldwell grateful for ‘outrageous hit’ as Millenic Alli fires Exeter to victory

Exeter boss Gary Caldwell savoured victory for the first time in seven league outings with a 2-1 win over strugglers Burton thanks to Millenic Alli’s “outrageous” winner.

Burton got off to an almost-perfect start with Billy Bodin firing home from an early free-kick before Grecians captain Josh Magennis got a crucial equaliser on the stroke of half-time, a goal that Caldwell felt his side more than deserved.

“It was an outrageous hit, but he got his rewards today,” Caldwell said. “I was begging for him to pass it but thankfully he knows better than me. It is a fantastic goal that everyone in this stadium who has seen it will remember for a long, long time.

“I think the character and personality from everyone, to come here with them having a new manager, the crowd more upbeat than recently and to concede an early goal from a horrendous refereeing decision, it’s asking a big question of the players’ belief in what we ask them to do.”

Without a league win since November this was a festive bonus of three points for Caldwell, and the Scot was delighted with the response of his team.

He said: “The answer from the players today was incredible. Kev (McDonald) and Woodsy as sixes were both outstanding and the chances we created as we gained that control got more and more and I thought we should have been in front, never mind level at half time but we weren’t, and they kept going and believing.

“We need to score more goals and make things more comfortable because we end up under pressure, but the players deserve so much credit.”

For new Brewers head coach Gary Bowyer, it was a big learning curve after making such a good start with Bodin’s eighth-minute opener.

“We had a great start, first set-piece we have scored all season,” Bowyer said. “Exeter are a good footballing side, and they got a stranglehold on the game.”

Magennis’ equaliser was a blow for the Brewers and Bowyer acknowledged it made things more difficult for his side.

“Getting in at half-time still leading 1-0 was going to be crucial but we didn’t defend it very well and that was disappointing,” Bowyer added.

“We started the second half well. Their keeper makes an outstanding save from Billy, pretty much with his face but credit to him. We have had some good chances at 1-1 and its hugely disappointing that we didn’t get anything from those.

“For as much as Exeter had the ball and the possession, we have lost to a worldie and it’s a tough one to take. You’ve seen loads of those fly over and wide on the wind today and that one flies in the top corner.

“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We must be better on the ball. Our attitude and body language today were good and we didn’t cave in.”