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

Pezzer added 10:51 - Aug 15 *Think about the formation
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midastouch added 11:17 - Aug 15 I recall that this time last season Mick McCarthy was playing 3 or 4 up front, just saying! Shame he went back to default settings as he had us all excited early doors last season but sadly it didn't last. I'd love a manager that just goes for it! When Mick had us going for it (such as when we had Ryan Fraser or early on last season) we were loads better to watch but when he went safety first it wasn't pretty on the eye at all. Hence why the overall consensus was that we ultimately needed a change. But the overall consensus (at least I thought) was we needed somebody that would be more adventurous, so far on what we've been served up so far this season (early days albeit) the jury is still well and truly out on that. Clearly Paul has a style in mind and the players are struggling to adapt, once they do make the adjustment (hopefully they will!) then things might look much better. The problem is that if they can't quite adapt Paul's hands are tied as he can't go out and get another 9 players, so then he might need to try something different. I'm going to give Paul till at least late September (or early October) before weighing in any further. While I was expecting him to be more attack-minded it's still much too early to judge. Let's give him a chance. I bet he'll be hurting right now and hopefully he can get a positive reaction. COYB. A win on Saturday (even though I'm not confident) would be massive! At least we're at home and not away as definitely wouldn't fancy a trip to Villa Park right now.

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Facefacts added 12:57 - Aug 15 Paul Hurst knows he is in trouble already, and last night's interview was very revealing. Hurting badly. He has already joked earlier about being able to get hold of Marcus Evans, and he cuts a lonely figure now. There is nowhere to turn except to hope for better in the next game. He never had the dressing room, so one can't now say he's lost it, because the rot had deeply set in with Mick McCarthy, in terms of complacency and proper blokes. The new manager and his assistant need to replace in the team those in the dressing room who got used to Mick, knew they were in the team every week, and won't now change. Hurst's reaction was that of a man not getting what he was asking of his team. I think he is out of his depth, at this moment, but that can change just with the bounce of a ball, a lucky win, to build back his confidence. That is football. It can happen. Big support is needed on Saturday, as full a stadium as possible, no murmurings of discontent. This might mean losing even Chambers and Knudsen from the team, and making one of his own captain, I guess Nolan. I still think it will be 4 5 1 on Saturday, but I guess only one winger if Gwion is fit. Sears will probably still play, as the memory of the first goal v Blackburn will still be alive, but I don't know if he was one of the disappointments last night. Ward is one of those in, but mostly out, type of players, so definitely not a Paul Hurst type player, I think he would rather be managing Rotherham where you know what you are getting. No one can get Ward to consistently deliver a good set piece.. What Paul Hurst will want is effort and consistency, a bit like Rotherham's No. 5 on Saturday.

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tractorrollson added 13:24 - Aug 15 Not sure hes out of depth or if he is its a bit unfair to judge yet in my opinion. Personally my choice was Mowbray and im puzzled at why we offered a manager who couldnt win in the playoffs such a huge opportunity. That said lets give him time and hope he does well. COYB!
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 13:38 - Aug 15 not everyone wanted MM gone. The majority? Yes. But not everyone.
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geminimustang added 15:03 - Aug 15 If people will put our differences aside and accept MM & PH are very good Managers,the question is why did MM fail and why is PH failing.Simple,lack of investment.ITFC continually sell their best players.MM used the funds on proven championship players who were freebies or past their best.PH has used the funds to buy L1 wannabees.No criticism of either Manager intended.No criticism of ME.ITFC simply haven't the money needed to compete in the top 1/3rd of the Championship.PH deserves some time but we're in a relegation battle for sure.

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doctorbuzz added 15:31 - Aug 15 Shame Skuse didn't play as he would have made a good scapegoat.
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DirtyOldNodger added 15:36 - Aug 15 3 games in and our own fans have already written off the entire club as destined for league 1. What amazingly fickle fans some of you are.
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Swn98 added 15:38 - Aug 15 TimmyH sorry didnt mean to ruffle your feathers oops some folk might construe that as canary feathers sorry.
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Swn98 added 15:40 - Aug 15 We hope in vain to meet upon your good self in Suffolk one fine day!😂 Hope not.!!
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Swn98 added 15:43 - Aug 15 Pezzer you can jumble them up as you want most of them are not good enough.
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Swn98 added 15:45 - Aug 15 warktheline I pm you to ask you a specific question to which you declined to reply.Private means private.
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VenustoHolland added 15:46 - Aug 15 Continually embarrassed by some 'supporters' posts - It's hard to differentiate between budgie trolls and town and outs but If you are the later - Do everyone a favour and give up spreading negativity, it's troublingly contagious... The boys need patience, support and understanding - not writing off after 3 games.
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IpswichFan69 added 15:47 - Aug 15 Shocking result, only caused by the horrendous deals we have made this summer. The likes of Nolan, Nsila, Jackson were all ok when non league grimsby scraped up through the play offs. The point is that we have brought in too many inexperienced and lower league players and because of it we're going to pay the price. #hurstout
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Swn98 added 15:49 - Aug 15 midastoucha precise of your post would be have you got a plan B. That so many NEWS site users allude to.
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itfchorry added 15:49 - Aug 15 We want Dozzell - Andre Dozzell - I just don't think you understand -
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Swn98 added 15:50 - Aug 15 Facefacts deluded i am affraid.
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Swn98 added 15:54 - Aug 15 itfchorry Best you design a good bed sheet for saturday's game then.
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Essexipswichboy added 16:07 - Aug 15 Err people who keep saying why are fans being so negative Look what the manager said He already knows his plan not working Too many too soon And manager one of them Mm back at Xmas but I think it will be too late On a brighter note look what happened to Leicester when they dropped down back to back promotion and then....
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blueboy1981 added 18:17 - Aug 15 Swn98 ......... the 'good news' for you - is when some Club by Xmas is in dire need of being bored to non existence for the rest of the season, by appointing MM to scrape enough points together with his dire tactics to keep them up. That's the only job your messiah is likely to get - hopefully then you will cease to pretend to be an Ipswich Town Supporter - and lock onto your master once again. But NOT at this Club - I'd rather see us relegated, and rebuild, than see him back at the Club. Give it a rest - or try and (at last) put a couple of sentences together, that make at least some kind of sense.

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corkblue added 19:57 - Aug 15 Nothing to shout about in bringing in loyalty from former clubs! The way to go is SPEND.......
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FrankMarshall added 20:19 - Aug 15 We are only THREE games in, get some perspective here. A wave of optimism charged over the club when Hurst was given the job, but perhaps that was over-optimism? Players need time to settle in, and a safe bottom half finish this season will be an excellent result at the end of the season. Next season, we can kick on and move onto greater things with Hurst, possibly finishing in the top half. Work in progress. Fans wanted more entertaining football, we will get it, but takes time. Something many fans are not giving him. Many of these players have stepped up TWO FULL LEAGUES, that's a massive change. To expect them to be on-parr after three games is unrealistic. If Arsenal signed a bunch of players from Bristol Rovers, Coventry City, Rochdale and co they would expect them to struggle a while to adjust to the pace and technical expertise of the Premiership. Those players would be stepping two leagues up. Same thing here. Huge gulf in class. Not all these players will bridge that gulf (MM made some dud signings too) so we also need to recognise that.

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Swn98 added 20:25 - Aug 15 Back under your rock bluebore there's a good fella.
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cat added 20:27 - Aug 15 PH has to shoulder some of the blame for last night debarkle, but there no doubt he picked a side to win, but when your keepers flapping, defenders giving away needless freekicks and your penalty taker can't even hit the target, then you can't entirely blame the manager for that. PH has had a successful career to date, with an impressive CV, so I'll give it till Christmas to see where we're at. I think like many though, that lone striker ain't working out. There's clearly something going on with Dozzell, he'd be a nailed on starter if match fit, as for Downes & co, don't personally think they are quite ready to step up regularly yet. Well up for Saturday, let's hope we smash the Villains on the rebound.

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BonchosBicycle added 20:42 - Aug 15 Everyone keeps saying the new players are the problem but for my money they've nearly all looked very promising so far. If anything it's been some of the old crew that have looked shakiest to me. Neither Knudsen nor Chambers were impressive last night.
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