Exeter manager Gary Caldwell hailed the performance of his players as they soared into the FA Cup third round with a 4-0 thumping of League One rivals Wycombe.
Jack Aitchison led the way with two fine goals, one in each half, before Akeel Higgins and Jayden Wareham capped a fine afternoon for the Grecians late on, with victory a huge boost to their recent financial issues.
“I thought we were excellent,” Caldwell said. “We took a bit of time to get going, we have had illness going through the squad after so much time on the bus in the last week and our intensity wasn’t there.
“We were still playing well and creating chances but after getting the goal, we controlled the game and we were very clinical.
“When you win a cup tie and there is pressure and you want to get into the next round – I thought we were excellent.”
Wycombe boss Michael Duff felt the defeat was harsh on his side, following on from a 2-0 loss to Northampton in midweek in the Vertu Trophy, but after going 12 games unbeaten he admitted those losses could be a “reality check” for his team.
“It was a horrible day where we have not been clinical, not taken chances and given away soft goals. I don’t think it was a 4-0 game,” Duff said.
“We had the better chances and in the first 15 minutes of the second half it was total dominance, but the first time they go up the other end, they score.
“We bring people on to try and change it, but we were weak and I can’t have players running past our players, but that’s what happens when you don’t win duels.
“It’s been a bad week and it’s really disappointing. Perhaps it’s a reality check and we are perhaps not as good as we think.”
