Exeter City exited the Carabao Cup at the first round stage with a 4-1 defeat at St Andrew's against Coventry City.

An early goal from Jordy Hiwula, a header from Matt Godden, and a second from Hiwula took the game away from the Grecians in the first half as the hosts raced into a lead.

City pulled one back through Pierce Sweeney midway through the second period before substitute Amadou Bakayoko headed home late on. 

Manager Matt Taylor made eight changes to the side that started the 1-0 win over Stevenage last time out as he looked to ensure minutes were given to squad members who had not featured so far in the opening two fixtures, as Ben Seymour was handed his competitive City debut.

It was a nightmare start for the Grecians when they were dispossessed in the Coventry half and Fankaty Dabo took possession before driving forwards past a number of City players before he squared it to Hiwula, who finished well low past Jonny Maxted.

City almost responded five minutes later when they worked it well out on the right through Archie Collins, and the youngster crossed well for Seymour to glance a header just wide of Ben Wilson’s far post.

The City striker would have another attempt on 10 minutes when Gary Warren’s ball forward was flicked on excellently by Alex Fisher into the young forward’s path, but he dragged his low effort just wide.

Matt Godden would have Coventry’s next attempt at goal just before the 20-minute mark when the home side combined well before the former Stevenage man volleyed at goal, forcing Maxted into a good stop as he collected.

Godden then got himself on the scoresheet when Coventry were awarded a free-kick just outside the Grecians’ box on the left. A wicked delivery was headed on by the Coventry forward and ended up evading Maxted and into the far corner to give the home side a more comfortable score line.

It would get worse for the Grecians just before the half-hour mark when they were caught on the counter-attack before the ball was pulled back and Hiwula picked it up from a tight angle. Despite the on rushing Maxted, the Sky Blues man curled home into the far corner to make it 3-0.

The Grecians were given a golden chance to pull a goal back on 43 minutes when the ball was played back into the box following a corner and headed on by Fisher, but Pierce Sweeney was unable to guide his effort on target as Wilson came out to deny him.

Lee Martin continued to look lively after the break and he almost set up a City reply when he shifted the ball inside from the left towards the far post, but it just evaded the sliding Fisher and Seymour.

It took until the 67th minute for the Grecians to really threaten the Coventry goal in the second half, and they did so through Jack Sparkes. After Matt Jay's shot was charged down the ball fell to the youngster before he shifted onto his right and shot powerfully, but for a smart save from Wilson.

Much unlike the first period, chances became few and far between with the home side comfortable with their advantage as they looked to frustrate Matt Taylor's men.

But City did get their goal in the 80th minute when Sparkes' wonderful free-kick from the right in a crowd of bodies appeared to come off Sweeney and end up in the net as the away side made it 3-1.

As the game headed into its final three minutes of normal time, Ben Chrisene wrote his name into the Exeter City history books as he became the youngest player to turn out for the first team at the age of 15 years, 7 months, and one day.

Still there was time for another goal as substitute Amadou Bakayoko headed in from close range in the dying moments of the match to make the score 4-1.

Coventry City: Wilson, Rose, Kelly, Jobello (Kastaneer, 83), Hiwula, Hyam, Dabo, Godden (Bakayoko, 63), Westbrooke, Shipley (Eccles, 75), McCallum
Subs not used: Marosi, Mason, McFadzean, Bapaga
Booked: Kelly

Exeter City: Maxted, Sweeney, Tillson, L. Martin, Warren, Jay, Fisher (Woodman, 57), Moxey (A. Martin, 57), Sparkes, Collins (Chrisene, 87), Seymour
Subs not used: Ward, Bowman, Ajose, Cundy, Chrisene
Booked: Tillson

Attendance: 1,555 (Inc, 374, away)