Former Blues midfielder Lee Martin struck the decisive penalty as Town were beaten 4-2 in a shoot-out by League Two Exeter City following a 1-1 draw to crash out of the Carabao Cup at the first round stage. Kayden Jackson put the Blues ahead in the first half but another ex-Town player Troy Brown equalised in the second to leave the scores level at full-time. Teddy Bishop and Trevoh Chalobah missed their spot-kicks for the Blues before Martin won the tie for the Grecians.

Boss Paul Hurst made three changes with striker Jackson and midfielder Tayo Edun making their full Town debuts, and Freddie Sears returning to the XI.

Cole Skuse and Ellis Harrison dropped to the bench, while Gwion Edwards missed out with a minor quad problem.

Bishop, who last played on Boxing Day, and Danny Rowe were among the subs for the first time this season.

Exeter included two ex-Blues, winger Martin, who was making his full debut for the Grecians, and central defender Brown.

Town started positively and as on Saturday passed the ball around confidently. On six, after good work from Edun, Jonas Knudsen crossed deep from the left but Craig Woodman nodded away ahead of Jon Nolan.

Having struggled to get hold of the ball in the early stages, Exeter began to get on top and in the 15th minute ex-Blue Martin struck a curling effort from 25 yards which Toto Nsiala blocked, although it looked to be going wide in any case.

Town quickly regained the upper hand and on 17 a Knudsen cross was cleared out to Chalobah, whose volley wasn’t too far wide of Grecians’ keeper Christy Pym’s right post.

Chances were rare occurrences but on 26 Janoi Donacien broke into the right of the box and flicked the ball over Pym across the six-yard box but no Town player was on hand to add the final touch and Aaron Martin cleared.

Exeter should have taken the lead on the half hour when Lee Martin was sent away behind the Blues’ backline and crossed to Matt Jay at the far post but the sliding striker somehow scuffed the ball wide when it seemed easier to score.

With eight minutes of the half remaining, Town went in front. Edun skipped past a couple of Exeter players then as he reached halfway sent Jackson away down the left.

The £1.6 million signing from Accrington cut in virtually along the touchline and looked set to cut back to any one of a number of team-mates but instead smashed a shot into the net off Pym at his near post with the keeper covering the cross.

Whether Jackson was shooting or crossing was the subject of debate, however, the 24-year-old appeared to have noticed Pym straying away from his post and had tried something similar from the other flank earlier in the game.

The Blues were a more confident outfit having gone in front and might have doubled their lead just before half-time when a cross ran out to Nolan 12 yards out from where he hit a shot on the turn which was deflected wide off Jake Taylor.

Soon after, the half-time whistle went with the Blues having been in control for the most part, although with Exeter having had the game’s best chance up to Town’s goal through Jay, who really ought to have put his team in front.

As in their previous two games, Town had been more comfortable on the ball than was the case in previous seaosn and played it around slickly at times, with Edun catching the eye, however, without creating too many clear-cut opportunities.

Jordan Spence replaced Donacien ahead of the start of the second half, the right-back presumably having picked up an injury.

The home side went close to an equaliser in the 55th minute when sub Archie Collins broke into the area and hit a shot which deflected into the side-netting off Knudsen. From the corner, Aaron Martin flicked a header wide.

Exeter weren’t too far away again on 59 when Hiram Boateng sent in a dangerous low ball from the left but sub Tristan Abrahams was unable to get a touch at the near post.

Town threatened for the first time since the break in the 62nd minute when Spence sent Jackson away on the right but the goalscorer’s low ball flew behind Edun.

But two minutes later, the Grecians equalised and via one of their former Blues. Jack Sparkes’s low freekick from the right somehow made it into the six-yard box where Bartosz Bialkowski desperately stuck out a toe. However, the keeper was only able to send it straight up in the air and Brown nodded into the net from an inch or so out.

Two minutes after the goal Bishop replaced Sears, then Grecians skipper Jake Taylor was booked for a foul on Nolan.

As the game moved into its final quarter of an hour, Jackson was sent away by Spence and cut the ball back to Nolan, who shot not too far over the bar from the edge of the box. On 78 Rowe took over from Ward.

Edun then shot well over from 20 yards, prior to Blues fitness coach Nathan Winder being shown a yellow card - with coaching staff receiving cautions for the first time this season - for dissent, referee Brett Huxtable having given a freekick to Town when the Blues were still in possession and breaking forward.

Jackson was crowded out as he broke into the area on 81, then Knudsen and Nsiala were both yellow-carded, the Dane for dissent having conceded a freekick and the former Shrewsbury defender for a foul on the edge of the box. From the resultant freekick, Sparkes shot straight at Bialkowski.

Town came close to winning it in the 85th minute when Jackson laid the ball back to Edun, who hit a powerful strike which Pym did well to bat away.

The game was becoming ever more open with penalties looming and two minutes later Abrahams struck a shot across Bialkowski from an angle on the left which the keeper saved low and Chalobah cleared.

In the final minute of scheduled time, Spence appeared to aim a stamp towards Woodman after being rather unnecessarily clattered from behind on the touchline but fortunately appeared not to make contact and little was made of the incident.

Moments after the board was raised signalling four additional minutes, the Blues went close again. Nolan hit a cross-shot from the left and Woodman did well to force the ball out ahead of Bishop inside the six-yard box.

Neither side was able to find a winner in the remaining minutes of an evenly-balanced scrappier second half and the game went to a penalty shoot-out in the traditional format rather than the ABBA system used in the competition last year.

Town got off to the perfect start with Bialkowski saving Taylor’s kick down to his left, but Bishop saw his penalty saved by Pym having hit the ball too close to the Exeter keeper.

Bialkowski almost saved from Pierce Sweeney, pushing his penalty on to the inside of the post but the ball eventually found the net.

Skipper Chambers made it 1-1 with a confidently struck kick, then on-loan Norwich striker Tristan Abrahams put the Grecians back into the lead with a spot-kick into the roof of the net.

Jackson sent Pym the wrong way to make it 2-2 before Collins smashed his penalty home to make it 3-2 to the League Two side.

Chalobah blasted his spot-kick well wide to leave ex-Blue Lee Martin with the chance to put his old club out of the Carabao Cup, which he duly did, beating Bialkowski with a well-struck penalty.

Having just about shaded the first half, Town faded after the break, as they have done in all their games so far this season, and allowed Exeter back into the game with Brown’s goal which was a very poor one to concede from a Blues' perspective.

Another Town cup campaign comes to an early end with the Blues still looking for their first win of the season ahead of Aston Villa’s visit to Portman Road on Saturday and then a similarly tough-looking trip to Derby next Tuesday.

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, Brown, A Martin, Woodman, Boateng (Sparkes 62), Tillson, Taylor (c), L Martin, Jay (Collins 52), Stockley (Abrahams 52). Unused: Hamon, Forte, Oates, Croll.

Town: Bialkowski, Donacien (Spence 46), Nsiala, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Chalobah, Edun, Sears (Bishop 66), Nolan, Ward (Rowe 78), Jackson. Unused: Gerken, Skuse, Harrison, Kenlock. Referee: Brett Huxtable (Devon). Att: 3,675 (Town: 351).

Photo: Action Images

OriginalMarkyP added 23:37 - Aug 14 Hmmmm. We needed a win. I don't think you can pin the loss on Mccarthy's players. The majority of that team was Hurst's. Players he's brought in should be busting a gut for him, he's given them a great opportunity. He seemed pretty angry. Be interesting to see how we set up for Saturday. We dont want to get hammered, but 11 men behind the ball would look a bit like chucking the towel in before we've barely got up off our stool. But this team of strangers could well look like a bunch of kids out of their depth against Villa. If we get stuffed in these tough games coming up the long term damage to the confidence of the team and manager could be very serious. Pressure is only going to increase. We will see.

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mrmorisato added 00:54 - Aug 15 Here's my take on what I've seen this season (including the West Ham friendly); After listening to what Hurst said about the players tonight was critical. Playing just one up front with the strikers we've got is not not going to work - Hurst really needs to consider playing 2 up front. Most of his new signings have impressed me, all of our goals have been scored by the the new boys, my next observation is Cole Skuse who looked out of place against Blackburn and made a mistake voicing his dissent publicly after the game about playing in a deep lying midfield role which he has always filled (Big mistake in my mind). We do still need a centre half and forward to complete the team (I think), another issue I'm a bit concerned with is that Evans went after a manager to fullfill one of his 5 key criteria: and that was to work with the younger players and develop them into the 1st team. The trio of Downes, Dozzell and Nydam are hungry creative ambitious players at the club and all impressed upon me against West Ham (in particular Flynn Downes) who in my opinion has the potential to become a premier league player. But at he moment not all the players have bought into Hurst's way of playing football and I'm more worried for the likes of Chambers and Skuse who may need to think about moving on. Could we play a 3-5-2 instead with Knudsen, Chambo and Nsiala forming a back 3?? As for Saturday I've got my fingers crossed that he'll play Jackson and Harrison together upfront with Ward or Roberts on the left wing instead of Sears whose wasted in that wide position :(

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 00:58 - Aug 15 Hold the front page : Ipswich in first round cup elimination shocker. One day they'll release a movie on our cup exploits and name it Groundhog Day 2 or something. Not much else to add it would seem. Maybe they played a strong team, took it seriously, I don't know or have all the insights of others but above all else we go out again to inferior opposition at the earliest stage. Don't know about you but that provides a certain feeling of disappointment and missed opportunity. Competition's a piece of crap it could be argued, but would have still liked to have seen a little more progress than our usual attempt all the same. Doesn't go unnoticed this club has not once added this particular trophy to it's honors list. Times such as now you don't need to ask yourself why.

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wezley53 added 06:28 - Aug 15 Where is all this attacking football we were told PH promotes?, still perseveres with a lone striker, things must change.
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cat added 07:10 - Aug 15 Bitterly disappointed with last nights result, but I'm sure PH is feeling it more. Some of the comments from the more negative posters on here and of course the gloaters is nothing short of fecking embarassing. The manager needs support and some time, those calling for change and league 1 are a disgrace to the club, and themselves. Talk about posters lacking backbone, first sign of problems and their throwing the towel in after 2 league games (lol) Hope the manager and players have more of a spine, otherwise we really are doomed.

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Swn98 added 07:38 - Aug 15 ShropshireBluenago09 ITFCsince73 algarvefan dirtydingusmagee Arumoldew warktheline htb jjhbruno itfchorry Timmyh I see a list of penquinblues disciples
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Swn98 added 07:51 - Aug 15 All the Anti MM fans last year used to regularly quote there's no plan B perhaps Mr Hurst would show us some evidence of what his might be laying into the squad in public will not improve anything especially as most of the players are his.
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Swn98 added 07:53 - Aug 15 Pencilpete name the DOZEN please.
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icandriveatractor added 07:55 - Aug 15 Wow 3 games in would hope that most people in a new job would be given a good chance. Same old town fans moan moan moan
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Dissboyitfc added 07:55 - Aug 15 Beoniblue.... who was the striker who could take a good corner? Please dont say Waghorn, his penalties were awful, never getting past the 1st man on the post! Truth is we havent had a good corner taker for a long time! As for last, i witnessed that rubbish first hand, still numb from it!
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Swn98 added 08:00 - Aug 15 Lets try 4-4-2 saturday close down the gaps and try and supply the front 2 with abit of ammunition to work with. Instead of loaning out our young creative midfield play them you can always sub them they will soon get up to strength.
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tractorrollson added 08:05 - Aug 15 The reality is we have a new manager and a brand new squad. The deadwood has gone but so has the experience and the goals. The manager has had to step up so he needs a season and we judge him then. Survival is the most important thing now. It will take time for all the players to gel and personally i think it was always a risk taking on Hurst but he needs time not 3 games.

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Barty added 08:11 - Aug 15 Don't want to be too negative but am struggling to find any positives. I fear we will be torn apart on Saturday but we must give PH the players time to get used to each other and team formation. We just need a moral boosting win but I think that might be a little way off. Lets all get behind the team on Saturday.
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warktheline added 08:26 - Aug 15 Swn, you need to make up your mind, your previous list placed me as one of blueboy's 'disciples', now on your latest list, I'm a 'disciple' to another! Anyhow, your 'lust' 😂for McCarthy has blindsided you! He's no longer 'here' by all means feel free to continue 'following' his career!
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Nobbysnuts added 08:56 - Aug 15 What a shower of sh#te 💩 mm must be laughing his bollox's off.🎅
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karls_dad added 08:57 - Aug 15 Well that was an absolute pathetic performance, Bart seems to be now Mr Fumbleflap? what on earth has happened to his class, Knudsen??? well he seems to be unable to pass a ball ten feet, just how many times did he get it horribly wrong, this lone striker system?? it is not working, every man and his dog can see that, FFS go to the old fashioned tried and tested 4-4-2!! i,m increasingly worried now, that either the players or Hurst are just not up to standard? something is terribly wrong, and needs fixing asap!! look at our next fixtures, real scary stuff!! cricket score coming our way!! i was so full of confidence, this fresh start, a new beginning, hopeful but nervous! yes early days? but a reality check needs to be taken down on that training ground today, league two opponents, that did not even field their strongest team!! and we were pathetic! a Championship club struggling like that, i bet MM was grinning all the way home from his Sky pundit session, and rightly so!! as much as it pains me to say it! as above i say again this lone striker is never gonna work if the midfield cannot string two passes together in 90 minutes! just completely bewildered by the logic!!

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Swn98 added 09:00 - Aug 15 TractorBoyTommy blimey your only conference league class i've got minus 1910!
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Swn98 added 09:11 - Aug 15 I think you were on another list as well warkteline you got what you wished for hope your enjoying it, oh i forgot you dont go to games anymore its us poor souls who have to put up with the result of your wishes.
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cornishblu added 09:23 - Aug 15 ........so a slightly different take...my first game of the season and I liked the football we were trying to play ....even leaving the ground was happier with that than the last few years of absolute dross....and the prospect of MM drivel and excuses IMO ....need two upfront ...couldn't understand why that didn't happen tonight IMO.......as per previous posts will get increasingly annoyed of our home grown boys miss out based on the whole sale change ...two of last nights subs were exciting lads for existing lads .......an uncomfortable bias Watch out for Bart....doesn't look happy or comfortable with what's in front of him...having second thoughts ? Great to see Bish get a run out ...needs to start v soon ....all I can hope for is nit being too far adrift by the time we click...and of course not loosing to the budgies COYB

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Northstandveteran added 09:27 - Aug 15 Minus 1911 😂😂😂
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Northstandveteran added 09:30 - Aug 15 Nice to see that you and blueboy are friends now though Swn 👏
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Lightningboy added 09:50 - Aug 15 Not going to start slagging off Hurst,I just hope he's realised over the first few games that we need (another) captain in the most important area of the pitch...i.e. central midfield. Something we've been crying out for for years & years..Huws is injury prone,Bishop injury prone,Adeyemi waste of space,Skuse too slow as for Challobah (can we send him back yet?)..we need a leader in there,preferably 2. Need to use your remaining loan signings very wisely and very quickly Paul.

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TimmyH added 10:09 - Aug 15 Yawn off Swn98...far too many posts from you in one evening/morning slagging a number of posters.
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warktheline added 10:25 - Aug 15 @timmy, swn is obviously 'enjoying' current predicament, a very sad 'individual'! @swn, that's right your 'Xmas card list'....you struck me off after I told you to stop sending me 'personal' messages on site! As for non attendance.....that embargo was deleted as soon as 'hoof ball' left the building ! My youngest son thinks you're a 'legend' due to 'laughter' your posts inspire ! We hope in vain to meet upon your good self in Suffolk one fine day!😂

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Pezzer added 10:50 - Aug 15 I agree mrmorisato! Playing two up front and giving Dozzell a game (if fit) would get a much more positive reaction and really perhaps a better chance of a good result. If Chalobah is essentiall playing as a CDM then Skuse should drop out. I would even consider Kenlock who has first team experience and consider Knudsen, Chambers and Niaslla (hope spelt correctly!) as a central back three. Even 4-4-2 with Knudsen making way for Kenlock, Chalabah, Dozzell, Edwards and one other in midfield/wide, with the new strikers up front - would be better than one up front- I think too many players back can actually create problems and players get in each others way, whereas one up front means we lose possession. I think PH needs to think at the formation. Starting with Villa.

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