Lee Barnard gave a timely reminder that he is not ready to be forgotten just yet as he scored at Exeter.

The striker, now seemingly well down the St Mary’s pecking order, was part of a youthful Saints XI that travelled to the west country for a pre-season friendly and returned home with a 2-1 win.

Though Martin Hunter’s squad was predominantly full of promising youngsters, it was a couple of the experienced heads that made the difference against a Grecians side packed with first teamers.

Ryan Dickson created both of the second half goals with left wing crosses.

The first, on 71 minutes, was converted by a far post header back across goal from sub Lloyd Isgrove.

The second, four minutes later, saw Dickson’s cross bounce off Isgrove and Barnard show all his predatory instincts to be first to the loose ball to fire home from six yards out.

Guillem Bauza netted a consolation for Exeter with four minutes remaining.

Exeter: Evans, Tully (Amankwaah 60), Baldwin (Nichols 76), Coles (Tilson 76), Woodman (Frear 60), Sercombe (Chamberlain 60), Doherty (Keohane 70), Bennett (Dawson 70), Davies (Gosling 60), Gow (Cureton 45 (Moore-Taylor 76)), O’Flynn (Bauza 45).

Saints: Gazzaniga (Johns 76), Young, Stevens (Mugabi 70), Seaborne (Turnbull 70), Dickson, Sinclair (Isgrove 70), Robinson (Moore 70), Reeves (Curtis 74), McQueen, Barnard, Hoskins (Rickard 74).

Att: 1,252