Exeter City 'weren't ruthless enough' in Fleetwood Town draw - Gary Caldwell

Vincent Harper's first-half goal ensured Exeter City ended a two-game losing streak

Gary Caldwell has criticised Exeter's lack of ruthlessness after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fleetwood Town.

The League One strugglers came from a goal down to come away from Exeter with a point, despite the Grecians having a host of good first half chances.

It was a third winless game for Exeter, who remain in 14th place.

"We weren't ruthless enough, we weren't clinical enough, we don't recognise the moment to kill the opposition off," manager Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"We didn't win enough first-contact second balls, I thought they ran a bit more second half and if anything it's a good point in the end because they put us under so much pressure.

"So a big disappointment at the result, a big disappointment in the second-half performance when we warned the players that it was coming - the (Fleetwood) chance before half-time was a great warning shot that the game wasn't over, it was 1-0 and it should have been 3-0 or 4-0.

"That is something we have to learn very quickly in the last 11 games."

Caldwell hopes his side will quickly learn the lessons resulting from their profligacy in front of goal in the first half.

"I think everyone in this stadium could see who the better team was, we absolutely dominated them, but from that we don't get enough shots, we don't get enough final actions, we don't get enough goals," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"That game should have been finished, and the players have to learn that the game is about scoring goals, the game is about winning football matches, and we let a team off the hook.

"Granted, they took that opportunity second half and we have to understand that in the big moments when the game is in the balance we have to stand up to that threat much, much better.

"We have to fight much more, we have to run much more, and today was a big wake-up call for the team and for the rest of the season."