The disappointment of being dumped out of this season’s FA competition by League Two side Bury was all but forgotten when, on Tuesday evening Exeter City and over 1,700 Grecian fans poured into Plymouth to face their Devon rivals in the St Johnstone's Trophy area Quarter Final.

Pilgrim fans, I am sure, will also have been looking for some solace and improvement having been mauled by Swindon in a 4-0 cup exit and, after eight barren years with no game between the clubs this match was just the ticket for both sets of fans and managers alike.

Coming into the game, neither Devon side had covered themselves in too much glory in recent games, and City had suffered four defeats in a row and had conceded five goals in the last three games from set pieces alone and, of course, had not scored in the last two games at all.

This was a Devon derby, though. What transpired on the pitch was, in derby and bragging rights, a game that was up there with the best that Paul Tisdale and his teams have served up during his reign at Exeter.

The 2-1 victory was as sweet as not progressing in the FA Cup was bitter. It was a magical night in terms of sweet victories, and is up there with some of the results served up in games such as Oxford, Torquay, Rotherham and, of course, Wembley.

City took the lead within two minutes as Ryan Harley let fly with a superb low 25-yard strike that went beyond the outstretched arm of French goalkeeper Larrieu and into the corner and sent City fans into raptures.

The victory was sealed with a superbly taken goal from another inspired substitution by Paul Tisdale and the much dreaded penalty lottery shootout was, thankfully, not needed.

Nardiello jinked his way through the Plymouth defence to seal the win and ensure progress into the area semi finals.

This was a much-needed win, worthy of a real Devon derby with every player rising to the occasion, both mentally and physically. Never mind the FA Cup, we just could be on the way to Wembley again and, of course, there are another two games to enjoy against Plymouth, the first again at Home Park on December 11!

Back to League bread and butter reality - we hope that this Saturday’s game will reflect new found confidence when the Grecians take on Notts County at St James Park. The league is tight with City three points off the bottom four positions and conversely just four points off the play off positions.

?Anyone interested in following City on their travels can join a coach for away games and for more details please contact Di Lee on (01395) 577567. EDG always keen to hear from those interested in joining the East Devon Grecians. Check out the website http://www.eastdevongrecians.com/ or phone (01395) 515552.