Christmas cheer for Exeter City is not mirrored at Plymouth Argyle

It has been a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for Exeter City, winning three out of four to move out of the Sky Bet League One relegation zone.

The Grecians welcomed the festive period with a dominant 3-0 win over Barnsley before being unlucky to lose 1-0 at leaders Cardiff on Boxing Day. City quickly dispelled the disappointment with a 1-0 success at Wimbledon and it was the same score at home to Luton on New Year’s Day.

Exeter had to survive an early onslaught from the Hatters before finding some rhythm with Jayden Wareham twice going close, including one header cleared off the line.

The decisive moment arrived five minutes after the interval and it was a special one for Pierce Sweeney, curling a delightful finish into the corner of the net. City looked more like extending their lead than Luton finding an equaliser in a satisfying end to the festive celebrations.

Exeter travel to Huddersfield on Sunday and then it is a massive occasion at Manchester City in the FA Cup on January 10.

While the Grecians are enjoying a stint in mid-table, rivals Plymouth Argyle remain in the bottom four after a less than perfect Christmas. A superb 5-1 win at Doncaster was swiftly wiped out a 4-1 home loss to Reading on Boxing Day.

The Pilgrims then needed a stoppage time leveller to earn a draw with Wycombe and Malachi Boateng was the hero at Stevenage, earning a point with second-half strike. Argyle host Burton on Sunday and a huge game against the club one place above them in the league.