"The bond and connections that we're building, you know, it's a pleasure to play in this team.”

Exeter City goalkeeper Jack Bycroft has said that the club are looking up the table as they try and return to League One at the first time of asking after another impressive win as they beaten previously unbeaten Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at St James Park.

Anthony Scully opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Reece Cole added a second in the final minute to secure all three points for the Grecians.

It was another clean sheet for Exeter, who have now recorded seven clean sheets in League Two this season, conceding just six goals in their opening 12 league games, which is the best record in the division - with just one of those being on home turf.

While defending is a team game, as the manager and players are quick to stress, number one Bycroft was once again instrumental for the Grecians. Having had nothing to do for 77 minutes, the goalkeeper produced a string of important saves during the closing 15 minutes, including one from point blank range from Adrien Thibaut in stoppage-time to ensure the Grecians took home the three points as they rose to 10th in the table, just a point off the play-offs.

“You can see the connection between the guys and the fans in this place," Bycroft said. "It was a total, complete performance from the guys and from everyone involved. So yeah, super proud.”

When asked about what it’s like to play in a defensive who concedes so little, with Bycroft describing it as a “pleasure” to play for the Grecians.

“It's brilliant. Goalkeepers pride themselves on clean sheets. I've got a solid seven or eight lads that are defensively so solid and sound, and everyone's connected. The bond and connections that we're building, you know, it's a pleasure to play in this team.”

“Look, I mean, if you stay in games for long enough, I saw something in the week about the amount of nil-nils at half-time that we've been in, keeping and staying in games. Sonny (Cox) at Shrewsbury and obviously today with Reece at the end, the late goal either wins a game or kills a game. If you build a base off solid defence, then you're always standing on good stead.”

Bycroft had been largely untested for much of the game before Crewe came alive in the closing stages, forcing the Exeter goalkeeper into a terrific reaction save in stoppage time, with the shot-stopper describing it as “the life of a goalkeeper”.

“I enjoyed it," he added. "I think I had my boots on the wrong feet today, but other than that, in the goal I was there when called upon. It's the life of a goalie. When you're needed, you need to make those actions and luckily today I made them.”

“I made the reaction save, and I think it was one of the few times one of our guys didn't head the ball away. I don't know if I was happier about making the save or more shocked that they didn't head the ball away! It's always good.”

Manager Matt Taylor praised the goalkeeper, who is continuing to win over the Exeter City supporters, saying he thinks the fans are “starting to fall in love with him”.

“There was the one where we all felt the ball was our of play in front of us in the dugout," Taylor said. "If that had gone in the back of the net, then God knows what would have happened. But the save from the header is an important save.

“We protect him so well, but in the big moments, like he’s done time and time again this season, he’s stood up and made big saves.

“He’s still improving, there’s still lots more to come from him. Fantastic personality, and I think our fans are starting to fall in love with him.”

Exeter now sit just one point off the League Two play-off places, and that's the direction the Grecians want to be looking at as they aim to bounce back straight away after relegation last season.

“Look, I mean, I've got no interest in looking down, obviously only looking forward," Bycroft added. "We're a few points away from where we want to be, but you can't get complacent or take your foot off the gas. We have to keep pushing forward, and we'll pay attention to the league table when it's finished, not now.”

“You know what's going to come with a team like this, with the quality that we've got, especially now the boys are back fit. Coming off the bench, we're arguably getting stronger and better in those moments with fresh legs, and yeah, I'm sure that we'll push on again.”

Bycroft spent last season as understudy to Joe Whitworth but has made the number one shirt his own this campaign . He now has young Frankie Phillips as his understudy, with Bycroft expressing his excitement about the youngster's development and what the future could hold for him.

“I left Swindon for this reason," he said when asked about finally getting that run of games. "I knew that last year was going to look like it did whenever I was needed and called upon to come into the team.

“I took that chance and played well. I enjoyed playing at League One level and proving to myself that I could do that. Ultimately, we fell short of staying in the league, but playing this year for this club, in this team, is a privilege and I'm really enjoying it.”

“Frankie's a top goalie, he's a top, top keeper. I'm really, really excited for him to have his chance, whenever that may be. I tell him all the time, he needs to hate me, he needs to hunt me down.

“We have a great relationship, but he needs to be chasing me down. I'm really excited for everyone to see the quality of goalie that he is and the level that I think he can get to.”