Manager Gary Caldwell felt Exeter were good value for their 3-1 win against Huddersfield.
After falling behind to Josh Koroma’s exquisite strike, Ilmari Niskanen finished off a superb move to draw the Grecians level and second-half goals from Jack McMillan and Andrew Oluwabori completed the victory.
“I thought it was a good win in the end,” Caldwell said. “We were playing a team that have been disjointed since they lost their manager and they haven’t achieved what they wanted to achieve.
“I felt we started the game well and we could really get after them, but we gifted them a goal when we were really on top in that initial period.
“But credit to the boys because they have fought back and scored a brilliant goal just before half-time – it was something we had been working on, crossing to the back area. I’m delighted for Immy to score because his Dad was here in the crowd.
“Second half, while we gave up too many chances in terms of the counter-attack, I thought we were the better team and deserved to win.
“We took seven new players into the team in January and we spoke then about being ‘team first’ and everyone contributing in a way that is all for the team. I think the players have been brilliant since the trip to La Manga, where we were able to build relationships and bonds and we have only lost three games since we came back.”
For Huddersfield it was a fifth straight defeat for interim manager Jon Worthington, who felt his side were on the wrong end of a contentious decision shortly after half-time when Herbie Kane’s sublime volley was ruled out for offside.
“We had chances, but in key moments of the game, when the chances came – Herbie Kane’s and Josh Koroma had one as well – we didn’t get any luck, or we weren’t ruthless enough in those moments and then you get punished,” Worthington said.
“This league is all about set-pieces, long throws and being able to deal with that and in the end, we just weren’t good enough.
“We are well aware that, physically, in terms of height and defending the box, we are lacking a bit, but everyone has roles.
“A lot of work goes in behind the scenes to make sure people are in the right positions to defend that, so it is criminal really, when we concede from players not being in the right position.
“We had periods again where we have done OK and looked OK but not taken chances. Things have gone against us and ultimately you get punished and it’s very disappointing.
“If you come to Exeter and lose like that, it’s very, very disappointing and there is no one hurting more than me.”
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