LONDON (Interstat) — Exeter City opened its League One season with a 1-0 road victory over AFC Wimbledon on Monday, defying pregame projections.

The lone goal at Cherry Red Records Stadium came in the 37th minute from substitute Jayden Wareham. The strike was assisted by fellow substitute Joseph Whitworth, highlighting a decisive impact from Exeter’s bench. The visitors’ defense held firm despite a flurry of late yellow cards, with seven issued in second-half stoppage time alone.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw, and its ELO system gave the home side a 66.7% probability to win. Exeter City improves to 1-0-0 in the league, while AFC Wimbledon starts 0-1-0.