Millenic Alli’s stunning effort gave Exeter their first win in seven as the Grecians grabbed a 2-1 victory at Burton.

Billy Bodin got Albion off to the perfect start under new head coach Gary Bowyer as he fired low into the corner after eight minutes. Kevin McDonald was penalised for handball on the edge of the box and Elliot Watt rolled the free-kick into his path to score.

Exeter grew into the game and Jack Aitchison forced Max Crocombe into a good save, with the visitors’ increasing influence on the game paying off in first-half stoppage time when captain Josh Magennis headed home from close range to finish off Alli’s cross.

Albion began the second half positively with Ryan Sweeney inches away with a header from Watt’s free-kick and Bodin could have had a second but for a superb point-blank save from Joe Whitworth.

Alli stunned the whole ground with a curling effort that looked speculative but dipped and went in off the underside of the bar from the corner of the penalty area.