Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell felt it was a missed opportunity for the Grecians away to Birmingham City as they were beaten 1-0 by the League One leaders. One goal in first half stoppage-time was all that separated the sides as Ethan Laird’s strike gave the Blues the win.

City battled hard and limited the hosts to few real chances on goal. But Exeter lacked any cutting edge at all at the other end, failing to have a single shot all afternoon.

Jack McMillan was sent-off for the Grecians deep into stoppage-time for a second bookable offence. And Vincent Harper was taken to hospital after suffering a serious looking head injury late on.

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Despite the brave effort in defence, Caldwell felt it was a missed opportunity for his team to come away from the game with anything. He said he was questioning whether the players really believed they could win today as Exeter suffered a third straight League One defeat.

“We were in control out of possession and they didn’t hurt us at all,” Caldwell said. “Our press was good, we were compact, defended fairly well. The only chance they had in the first half was the goal, and so close to half time, disappointing and a bad time to lose a goal.

“But we can be so much better in possession. We have to be braver. I questioned whether we really believed we could win today as I didn't see that. I saw effort, commitment but I think the game was there for us and we didn’t play at our best. If we did, we could have got something from it, that was the big disappointment for me.

“I can’t fault the effort. We had moments but didn’t commit enough as a group of players and belief in what we were doing. We weren’t brave enough and we have lots to learn and to get better and we have to understand to come to stadiums and play with bravery and character, as today feels like an opportunity missed. We had moments in the game where if we had better quality we could have got something from the game.”

Caldwell made three changes from the side which beat Oxford United in the FA Cup last Saturday, two of which were enforced. Out went Johnly Yfeko with a hamstring injury, while Tristan Crama had been recalled by Brentford before subsequently being sold to Millwall. In came Ed Francis and Kevin McDonald to play in the back three.

The third change saw Millenic Alli replace Josh Magennis upfront. New loanee signing Joel Colwill was among the subs, as was Cheick Diabate having he was recalled from a loan at Bradford City. Jay Stansfield meanwhile was fit enough to start for the Blues.

It was a cagey start at St Andrew’s as City nullified Chris Davies’ side, and indeed, it took 18 minutes for there to be any goalmouth action of any note – and even that was a corner comfortably cleared. The game was very stop-start as Exeter were halting promising attacks with niggly fouls. But in first half stoppage-time, Birmingham took the lead.

Scott Wright saw an effort well saved by Joe Whitworth, but May managed to get the ball in play. He took his time before playing in a cross which found the unmarked Laird, as arper didn’t track the run closely enough. He volleyed the finish in on his unfavoured left foot from eight yards out to give them the lead. It was a blow for City to concede right on the stroke of half-time having done so well.

The Blues had the first chance of the second half when they broke through Wright, but his shot was blocked by a City man. Stansfield then flashed a shot from distance just over the crossbar.

The Grecians were huffing and puffing and restricting the league leaders to very little in attack. At the other end, Ayumu Yokoyama forced a good save from Whitworth after going on a mazy run. The goalkeeper then kept out Lyndon Dykes.

Harper was stretchered off after a clash of heads with Dykes in what was a nasty blow. The game was paused for a lengthy period and 12 minutes were added-on – 17 minutes were eventually played – but when play resumed, but City just couldn’t create that one chance - or indeed any.

And any chance of getting something out of the game seemed to vanish in the 103 ^rd minute when McMillan was given a second yellow card and then the red when he tripped Yokoyama.

Victory for Birmingham, who remain unbeaten at St Andrew’s this season, saw them go two points clear at the top of League One, and with two games in hand on Wycombe Wanderers as well. Exeter, who have now lost three in a row in the league, and have only two wins in 12 in the league, are now down to 16 ^th .

“It was a head knock and the medics were on to him very quickly,” Caldwell said of Harper’s injury. “He wasn’t unconscious, which is a good sign. He was sick on the pitch, it’s quite a serious head knock, but he is now getting assessed in the hospital, got the best treatment and got to hospital as quickly as possible.”

Exeter City are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Peterborough United, where they will hope to get back to winning ways, but Harper’s injury, plus McMillan’s suspension will further stretch the squad.

“The team looked compact and didn’t give chances away until the game became stretched and most from distance so that is a positive,” Caldwell said. “But we have to be braver, we have to pass the ball better and have accountability and trust each other and when we do we are a much better team. We need to do better and give them something at Peterborough to cheer.”