One could point partially to the impact of suspensions and injuries to five key players, as the root cause of this debacle, but you couldn’t help feeling for the fans who had paid good money, only to be cheated of anything remotely approaching entertainment value.

This deplorable showing was probably enough to close the door on the honeymoon period for Carlisle’s new ownership. The boos that accompanied the players exit, following the final whistle, will be a harsh reminder that the results and the quality of performance are everything to the paying punters.

Manager Roddy Colins remained upbeat and assured the fans that he will get it right with time. He said after the game: “I saw the game as everyone else in the stadium. We were awful. We conceded the first goal, which I thought was a very sloppy defensive error, and then conceded the second which killed us off completely. I didn’t see any way back after that.

“I don’t complain or cry before games but facts are facts. When you’ve three senior players suspended and two injured it doesn’t help when you’re still building the squad. Ideally we would like two more senior players to add to the squad. I just hope that the players that are making their way at this stage don’t get too disheartened.

“We have players who have just come in who need to get match fit. That will all come and as a manager you’ve to just stick to you guns but I’m confident in what I’m doing. I know when the end of the season comes the supporters will see it different.”

Things might have turned out differently had Will McDonagh’s 4th minute effort found the net but Kevin Miller in the Exeter goal pulled off a stunning save.

Exeter’s overly physical approach to the game resulted in four of their players being booked in the first 24 minutes with ex Sunderland star Don Goodman lucky to stay on the pitch after he appeared to elbow Peter Murphy.

Carlisle’s best chance of the game came on 37 minutes when a neat turn by Brian Wake gave him the space only for the ex Tow Law striker to drag his shot wide with only Miller to beat

As if to rub salt in the wounds it was Goodman who popped up in the 42nd minute to put the Grecians ahead, when he stole a yard on Stuart Whitehead to head home Andy Roscoe’s near post corner.

With Carlisle still reeling from this body blow they conceded a second three minutes later. Brazilean defender Santos Gaia ghosted into the box unmarked to get on the end of a Glen Cronin cross to power his shot home from 15 yards.

The second half became a non-event as Exeter were content to keep possession and knock the ball around in a patronising manner with the Carlisle players at a loss to make any impact.

Rosco went close to adding to the lead with a left foot strike buried into the top of the side netting and Keen then made saves from Cronin and Cleveland Taylor.

The relief of the final whistle eventually came to draw to a close a game that all but the Exeter contingent will want to forget.

/Time

/Time

/Time

/Time

/Time

/Time