Half-time: Exeter 0 Brentford 0

A much-changed Brentford, featuring two debutants, were held at the break after a first half of few chances at St. James Park.

Philipp Hofmann dragged a shot wide from just outside the box early on, while Exeter’s Ryan Harley and Robbie Simpson both fired way off target.

There was an injury concern for Brentford early on when Alan McCormack limped off, to be replaced by Ryan Woods.

The game was largely devoid of goalmouth action until the Bees won a corner eight minutes before half-time.

Emmanuel Ledesma, making his competitive debut after signing on non-contract terms earlier in the day, delivered the ball in for Hofmann, who couldn’t connect properly with the header and sent it past the far post.

Harlee Dean drilled just wide after Jan Holldack, on his first appearance for Brentford, had got in the way of Woods’ shot, while Josh Clarke drew a comfortable save from Exeter keeper Bobby Olejnik.

The hosts named 15-year-old Ethan Ampadu, son of former Leyton Orient man Kwame, in their starting line-up, and the Grecians’ youngest-ever player made a composed start to his senior career.

Exeter: Olejnik; McCready, Sweeney, Ampadu, Moore-Taylor; Taylor, James, Harley, Riley-Lowe; Watkins, Simpson
Subs: Pym, Woodman, Tillson, Wheeler, Oakley, McAlinden, Jay.

Brentford: Bonham; Holldack, Dean, Egan, Field; Yennaris, McCormack (Woods 12); Clarke, Saunders, Ledesma; Hofmann.
Subs: Bentley, Elder, Cole, Woods, Kerschbaumer, Shaibu, Hogan.