Exeter came back from a goal down to win a breathless Westcountry derby 3-1 against Bristol Rovers.

The Pirates, who earlier in the day announced former Brighton defender Inigo Calderon would be taking over as their new head coach, took the lead just after the hour through Promise Omochere.

But Jack Fitzwater levelled 11 minutes later before Millenic Alli and Jake Richards struck to seal victory for the hosts.

After a first half of missed chances, certainly from Exeter, Rovers thought they had gone in front in the 59th minute when Isaac Hutchinson scored from close range, but after a lengthy delay, the assistant referee flagged for offside.

Three minutes later, Shaq Forde’s shot was saved by Joe Whitworth, but the ball fell at the feet of Omochere, who tapped into an empty net.

Whitworth made a fine save to deny Forde’s long-range effort as Rovers pushed for a second, but Exeter hit back after 72 minutes when Fitzwater powered in a header from Ed Francis’ corner kick.

Forde thought he had put Rovers back in front, only for the flag to go up again, while Rovers substitute Scott Sinclair blazed a glorious chance over the bar from eight yards.

Exeter then went in front in the 78th minutes when Richards crossed to Alli and he took a touch, turned and fired instinctively past Josh Griffiths.

Whitworth’s sensational one-handed stop from Gatlin O’Donker denied Rovers at the death and as they pushed for an equaliser, Exeter broke with teen starlet Richards following up to score his first league goal for the club and put the seal on a festive thriller at St James Park.