Higgins shows 'undoubted talent' in derby victory

Akeel Higgins' goal against Plymouth Argyle was his first in senior football

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says Akeel Higgins showed his quality, after his first senior goal in the Devon derby win over Plymouth Argyle.

The 20-year-old, who is on loan at Exeter from West Bromwich Albion, made just his second first-team start against the Pilgrims.

He responded with an excellent finish in the second half to seal the 2-0 victory and earn the Grecians a first win over their biggest rivals in six years.

"He has been building, he's been a bit of a slow burner," Caldwell told BBC Sport.

"We've had to build him up gradually, but we've all seen the quality, the players, his team-mates see the quality he has every single day, but he's now managing to get that into 60, 70 minutes I think he played tonight.

"He needs to keep working, he needs to keep progressing, but his talent is undoubted.

"Anyone who runs in front of the Big Bank and attempts to dink a goalie like that has got talent, and it's up to us to harness that and keep bringing more of that out on a weekly basis."

The victory was just a second since the end of August for Exeter as they moved up to 13th place in League One.

Caldwell hopes his side can use it as a springboard for the rest of the season - they face Arsenal's Under-21 side in the Vertu Trophy next week before taking on Halifax Town in the FA Cup.

"I always want more," he said,

"I think there's so many aspects of the game we can be better.

"I'm delighted for the club, I think it's been a challenging period for the football club and for the board, for everyone that works at St James Park, everyone that works at the Cliff Hall training ground, this is a really good moment.

"But as I've always said, these games are for supporters., these games are for our city to enjoy this moment and enjoy this feeling."