Eagles edge past Exeter

Crystal Palace overcame brave resistance from Exeter before booking their place in the second round of the Capital One Cup with a 2-1 win at St James' Park.

Exeter took the lead through John O'Flynn but goals from Jermaine Easter, with a penalty, and Kagisho Dikgacoi meant the visitors took the spoils. The Grecians got off to the perfect start with a goal inside the opening two minutes. Guillem Bauza volleyed Liam Sercombe's corner goalwards and O'Flynn flicked a header over Palace goalkeeper Lewis Price and into the net. However, Palace equalised in controversial fashion after 24 minutes when Exeter's Tom Doherty was penalised for handball. Easter, however, made no mistake with the resulting penalty. And Palace went in front on the stroke of half-time when Wilfred Zaha beat Exeter goalkeeper Artur Krysiak to a loose ball and crossed to the back post where Dikgacoi headed into the empty net. Exeter had their chances to level with O'Flynn and Alan Gow going close. But the home side did not have enough to breach a well drilled Palace defence.