England youth international Ike Ugbo struck twice but it was not enough with Chelsea U23s suffering a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Exeter City in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday evening.

The home team controlled the match in the early stages and raced into a two-goal lead after twenty-four minutes, courtesy of goals from Ollie Watkins and David Wheeler, and it became 3-0 four minutes out of intermission.

With eighteen minutes remaining, Ugbo gave Chelsea hope of a comeback, firing a shot into the top corner, before bagging his brace in the 90th minute.

The 18-year-old was denied a second half hat-trick when he hit the woodwork with the goalkeeper beaten.

England U20 star Fikayo Tomori and Ugbo started an logged ninety minutes each at St James Park.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : thefa.com