Caldwell praises Exeter despite Stockport defeat

Gary Caldwell's side are one point and two places above the League One relegation zone

Gary Caldwell says his Exeter City side deserved something from their 1-0 loss at high-flying Stockport County.

Nathan Lowe's first-half goal was enough to separate the sides, with County just a point off the top of League One.

Exeter had more possession and more touches in the opposition box, but could not find a way to convert any of their chances as they slipped to 19th in League One.

"I don't think we deserved to get beat," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"To concede from a corner is disappointing and then second half I thought we were the only team in the game.

"We kept pushing, we created good moments and just that final action, final pass, final shot to score just wasn't there.

"But to come away from home and play like that, play with that personality and kind of have a go, I'm just disappointed that the outcome wasn't as good as the performance deserved."

It was another frustrating day for Caldwell, who has seen his side lose six of their last eight games in all competitions - four of the last five defeats coming by one goal.

But he feels his side are capable of getting results if they can improve their end product - something he hopes can start on Thursday night when they host arch rivals Plymouth Argyle in the Devon derby.

"I believe in these players," he added.

"I see them day in, day out and sometimes when we play there's a little bit of lack of commitment to an action - whether it be a final pass, a cross, a shot, doesn't seem like it's there and we have to try and get over that.

"We've just come to a team that finished in the playoffs last year and we showed that we can play, we can give them problems.

"But they win 1-0 and that's why they are a team that is up the top of the league and we have to learn some lessons that they do well.

"They do the basics really well, they know how to keep a clean sheet and defend properly and there's there's definitely things we can take from them and add to our game.

"But we just have to keep going as a team, we've obviously got a big game on Thursday night so save our emotions, save our energy and build up towards that."