Gary Caldwell praises Exeter’s spirit after beating Luton

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell hailed a team effort as his side made it back-to-back wins with a deserved 1-0 victory against Luton in League One.

Pierce Sweeney’s delightful finish five minutes into the second half was all that separated the two teams, but it was Exeter that could have won by a bigger margin against a Hatters side that failed to register a shot on target.

“I said to the players, it’s going to be a team performance today that wins, it’s going to be a team that keeps a clean sheet,” Caldwell said.

“We were very much humbled (4-0) by Luton in the Vertu Trophy, against a team that totally outplayed us on that night – physically and technically they outplayed us – and we had to stand up as a team today and be together.

“I thought everyone did that, the forwards pressed and we recovered, we doubled up, stopped crosses, defended the box – it was a real team effort for that clean sheet. And when we get that, we always need just one moment to score and we’ve got that today.

“It was a fantastic effort from everyone in the stadium – players and supporters – and it was a huge win and a deserved win.

“I thought we played really well under the circumstances, because when you play three games in six days – I don’t know how much travelling we’ve done – but for the players to give that effort, and that commitment and to give them this again, with the togetherness from the crowd onto the pitch, it’s a huge win. I’m delighted to start the new year off in that manner.”

Luton boss Jack Wilshere was disappointed his side faded so quickly after a bright start in Devon.

“I am disappointed; we started really well and had a threat,” he said. “I thought we played with real purpose and then – of course you expect it at some point, playing away from home – we came under some pressure and they like to play direct.

“I don’t think we managed that moment well enough and we allowed them more momentum in the game. It became more difficult for us and it was 0-0 at half-time, which I think was fair, and then we concede from a second phase set play which we are really disappointed about.

“I feel you need a slightly different mentality when you play away from home and at times you have to suffer. We didn’t suffer enough in those moments and we probably didn’t have that attacking threat in the second half.

“It helps to have a settled team, but that is hard at this time of year and in this league when there are so many games. You hope when players step in that they can deliver and we have to do that more consistently.

“We lacked in the final third and have to get better. That happens on the training ground, but there is no time to train right now, it’s play, recover and go again.”