Baldwin: Luck was on my side

Exeter's Pat Baldwin netted only his third League goal in 262 appearances on Saturday, but was expecting to see it chalked off.

When the 30-year-old prodded John O'Flynn's header past Rochdale goalkeeper Josh Lillis to open the scoring at Spotland, a match the Grecians went on to edge 3-2, he assumed the referee's assistant's flag would be up and leave him stuck with a ratio of a goal every 130 games. "I was in the right place at the right time and to be honest with you I thought it was offside," Baldwin said. "So I thought I'd just flick my foot at it and try and finish before walking back but luckily it was onside. "I'm not exactly prolific but when they come around they are special. We did a bit of shooting practice for the first time in a while in the week and I was feeling pretty good." After their seventh away win from just 11 games City's thoughts now turn to a Devon derby with Plymouth Argyle at St James Park on Saturday, a clash that the former Colchester defender is relishing. "These three points were massive for us, especially going into the game against Plymouth," he said. "If we can sort out our home form, then we'll be up there and that is what we are working on, starting with Saturday. "The reason why I play football is for games like this, and it is one we are looking forward to. You can get caught up in the hype and you have to realise what a big game it is for the club and the supporters but you are professional players and you need to do a job."