DEVELOPMENT coach Andy Tillson is expecting an entertaining game when Exeter City reserves take on Torquay United tonight (7.0).

The Grecians' second string faced their Gulls counterparts in a friendly last week — a game which finished 2-2.

And former Bristol Rovers defender Tillson is anticipating another open game when United arrive at St James's Park this evening.

"It was a really good game last week and I would have thought both teams took a lot out of it," Tillson said.

"They were strong, while we were a bit younger, but it was a good experience.

"I imagine they will be fairly similar tonight, but I'm not too sure what sort of squad Torquay will have to choose from.

"It is a fixture for the lads not getting a game on Saturday to show what they can do, so I expect it to be a good match."

The likes of Artur Krysiak, Joe Heath, Bertie Cozic and Ben Watson are all expected to get a run out for the City side, while winger Jake Thomson could also figure after being an unused substitute at the weekend.

The Grecians will want to put in a good showing after they lost the opening game of their Combination League Wales & West Division campaign 4-0 to Bournemouth last month.

But Tillson says the result is not the most important thing for his team.

"We have played a fairly young side in all the games so far and the last two or three weeks have been great for them," Tillson said.

"We are all looking for an improvement. We have a lot of first year professionals making the step up and the last couple of weeks have been really positive.

"We would like to win every game but their development is the most important thing."

Exeter City will travel to Hereford United in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

After beating Yeovil 3-1 in the first round last week, the match will afford City the chance to honour the memory of striker Adam Stansfield against another of his former teams. Stansfield played for Hereford between 2004 and 2006, notching 24 goals in 47 starts.

The tie will be played at Edgar Street during the week beginning October 4.

Hartlepool United will be without goalkeeper Andy Rafferty for a minimum of three months after he broke two bones in a finger last week.

Rafferty will undergo surgery to correct the breaks, leaving stand-in boss Mick Wadsworth with one first-team goalkeeper in Scott Flinders ahead of their clash with the Grecians next week.

"It's a blow for us and for Andy," said Wadsworth. "Andy has come in and worked extremely hard in pre-season and we were seeing some great signs of development."

Walsall will be without midfielder Richard Taundry for up to a month because of a knee problem.

The 21-year-old was injured in the 2-1 defeat by Chesterfield in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last week.

Manager Chris Hutchings said: "He's walking about, there's a bit of pain but these things take time and we have to make sure he gets it right."