Exeter City looking to secure survival and keep unbeaten run going

Exeter City will be looking to make it seven games unbeaten when they travel to Leyton Orient tonight. The Grecians will head to London in good form having won four and drawn two of their last six outings, with the 14 points they have taken from those games placing them third in the form table.

The 1-0 win over Stevenage on Saturday took City into the top half of the League One table for the first time since early October. And while relegation is not on anyone’s minds, Gary Caldwell’s men can mathematically seal another season in the third tier tonight if they win – or Cheltenham Town drop any points.

Caldwell is keen to keep that unbeaten run going, as this is the longest run without defeat during his tenure. City last went seven unbeaten during the League Two promotion run in March/April 2022, while the last time in League One City went seven without defeat was in March/April 2010 when they put together a nine game run.

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Caldwell will name a team that is trying to win the game. But he is also having half an eye towards the 2024/25 season as he looks to try and fashion his squad for the next campaign.

Alex Hartridge, having captained the side at St James Park on Saturday, is unlikely to feature as he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, as both Zak Jules after suspension and Ben Purrington after concussion should return. Sonny Cox is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury, so either Cheick Diabate or Jake Richards would have to come into the starting eleven if the academy streak is to reach 476 successive games.

“First thing we want to do is win the game, the second thing is to involve players who will be here or who we want to be here next season,” Caldwell said. “Every game we will look to win the game, but to pick players who we feel will be with us next season.”

Assistant manager Kevin Nicholson added: "It's been a really positive week and the boys are in a good place, but you're only as good as your last game," he said.

"Orient is an extremely tough place to go and get a result. Today we have to take stock and make sure everyone is ready, then we prepare and get ready for what is going to be a really tough game. They have had a really good season and have been up and around the play-offs, and they have a very experienced manager, both as a player and manager, and they are a big football club. They will be looking at this season as one to lay the foundations to have a go next season.

"So we have to go there and show what we are about, try and take the positives we have started to show, be harder to break down and be more ruthless in their box. It'll be a good game."

Defender Will Aimson added: "It's important at what we are doing that is getting us these results at the moment. We’ve had games where we've had to grind it out such as with ten men against Burton and we've all stood up to it.

"It is testament to the travelling fans as well - they really get behind us. We know how much it costs and how much time it takes up to travel. It's not easy for them, especially on a Tuesday night, so we really do appreciate them."

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