The Exeter City management warns the players about the horror they are currently experiencing and urges them to work on it.

“Everyone has to look in the mirror and say are they giving enough or can they give more,”

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell admitted that the Grecians were way off the standard required as his year anniversary in the job ended by being outclassed at Derby County. Twelve months to the day he took charge – and coincidentally began with a battling point in a goalless draw at Pride Park – City were beaten 2-0 on Tuesday night in a scoreline that flattered them.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing put the Rams ahead on the half hour as they finally converted one of the many chances they fashioned. The second half was more of the same and Conor Washington sealed the victory ten minutes from time.

City created next to nothing all night. Just three shots, none of which were on target, and never really even looked like creating anything. The loss, a sixth in a row in League One, and eight in nine in all competitions, saw Exeter fall to 18 ^th , just five points outside the drop zone.

Having lost six in a row at the end of last season, City won’t want to make it seven when Lincoln City visit St James Park on Saturday. In November/December 2000 the Grecians lost seven in a row, but one of those was a cup tie. Not since January/February of 1984 have City lost seven league games in a row – and Caldwell knows everyone has to improve at the weekend to avoid that milestone being equaled.

“I thought we were in the game for large periods, but gifted them two bad goals,” Caldwell said. “The first goal came in the best period of the first half where we dominated territory for ten minutes and growing into the game and gifted them a goal and we looked open.

“Second half was similar with some good moments that never resulted in anything of note towards the goal, and we gifted them another goal when we were in a great position in the attacking third. We have to be better in every department, the players and I know that, and we have to get back to work.

“We are on a bad run and confidence is affected. We have to keep supporting them to get through the run and we need a result to get through it, but when we get it right, we can be a real threat in the league, and we have to get that result.

“There was a lack of bravery. We had to pass forward more, trust each other more, there was not enough penetration and desire to get forward and we didn’t create enough tonight. I believe in the group, I wouldn’t swap them for anyone.

“We are on a run that is difficult and we have to stand up and be counted. We have to stand up and compete and show bravery when in possession and we didn’t do that tonight. I can understand Saturday and why we lost but tonight the players have to give a bit more.”

Caldwell made just one change from the side who were beaten 2-0 at home by Wigan Athletic on Saturday. Out dropped Pierce Sweeney, with Jack Fitzwater replacing him in defence. Cheick Diabate was fit enough to return to the squad and was named among the subs, with Reece Cole unavailable through suspension after his fifth booking of the season.

It was Derby who were in the ascendency in the opening stages with a flurry of early chances. Mendez-Laing dragged an effort from 25 yards wide, Max Bird had an effort blocked, and then Ryan Nyambe then headed wide from just six yards out as the Rams were dominant.

The next chance for the Rams was even better. The ball pinballed around the box and broke to Bird on the six yard box, but he snatched at the effort and sliced it well wide. But when the goal did come on the half hour, it was fully merited.

Craig Forsythe got the better of Vincent Harper and knocked the ball onto Bird. He drove into the box, squared the pass to Mendez-Laing, and the winger with a first time finish poked the home into the corner of the net.

Tom Carroll did slice an effort from 25 yards wide – as close as City came to a goal all night – but Derby created more and more chances, and thought they had a second when after Waghorn nodded a cross back across goal, Mendez-Laing headed home from close range, only to see the offside flag deny him a second of the night. Curtis Nelson then headed over from just six yards out from a corner when it looked easier to score.

In the 80 ^th minute, any hope for City getting anything out of the contest ended. City had the chance to break, but James Scott’s ball to Caleb Watts was woefully underhit and short of pace. Derby broke, it was worked to Washington on the left, he cut inside, and his low effort squeezed home at the near post to make it 2-0.

“Everyone has to look in the mirror and say are they giving enough or can they give more,” Caldwell added. “The game is challenging, these moments are tough, and we have to believe and fight our way through it. Everyone has to step up. I have to. Our fans were incredible, they stick with the team, travel as far as they do, but we have to give the fans a little bit more than we did tonight.”

Exeter City are back in action at St James Park on Saturday where Lincoln City are the visitors.