City drop points in Papa Johns Trophy

And one player gets his shirt in a tizzy

Following a goalless draw at the weekend to Accrington Exeter City hosted Newport County in the Papa Johns's trophy- a football competition open to clubs in league one, two, and selected academy teams from the upper two tiers of football too.

With Exeter already out of the Carabao Cup, this, the third most prestigious knockout tournament in English football after that and the FA cup, the team needed the boost of a win.

Matt Taylor made eight changes to his starting 11 following the weekend's game. Including full debuts for Rekeem Harper, Keggs Chauke and Sonny Cox - and a home debut for the goalkeeper Scott Brown.

After a steady 15 minutes for both sides, Jack Sparkes released a power shot from within the penalty area from a Josh Coley cross. It forced a great save by Newport goalkeeper Joe Day. 

At the other end of the pitch a brilliant save by Scott Brown to deny Will Evans shot after a through ball left a one-v-one opportunity for the striker. He got down low to stop the Newport attack. 

Half-time: Exeter City 0 Newport County 0

An unusual occurrence in football as Keggs Chauke started the second half in Timothy Dieng's jersey! He lasted only two minutes, until the fourth official inevitably spotted the mistake, meaning Chauke had to change shirts.

Keggs Chauke dresses in a hurry!

Early in the second half, a low-driven cross from Caprice into Chauke found the bottom corner. A lovely, timed finish from Keggs Chauke who got his first goal for Exeter City on his full debut, also his first goal in professional football, and making the score 1-0 to Exeter City.

This lead didn’t last long as an equaliser for Newport County came within five minutes of City's opener. A through ball into Chanka Zimba who dribbled around Scott Brown and placed it into the net. One-all.

Exeter' missed a big chance as a header from Caprice was cleared off the line in an incredible piece of last-ditch defending by the Newport.

Late into the second half Omar Bogle scored to make it 2-1 to Newport County. A slotted finish that went through the legs of Brown) put Newport in the lead with less than 10 minutes to go. 

City gave it everything in the final minutes but couldn’t find the spark to get an equaliser.

Keggs Chauke was given man of the match in his full debut for the Grecians following his first goal for the club.

Attendance: 1,902, including 96 away fans. 

Final score: Exeter City 1 Newport County 2

Exeter drop points, but this is the pool stage, so hope of progression remains.