On loan Dannny Drinkwater (recovering from illness and injury), Adam Matthews, Aaron Wildig and Darcy Blake all played as City overcame their visitors 2 - 1.
Exeter took the lead before Nat Jarvis levelled. A youth team triallist scored a peach of a goal to win it for City and late on Jordan Santiago produced a stunning save to secure the win.
City have a lack of reserve team games so it's good so players who are likely to be in Saturday's 18 getting some much needed action.