Paul Tisdale's return to St James Park for the first time since he left Exeter City for Milton Keynes Dons proved to be an unhappy one as the Grecians came out on top with a convincing victory.
Midfielder Nicky Law gave City the lead in the seventh minutes before Jake Taylor netted a second ten minutes later.
Early in the second half, the Dons pulled one back through Joe Walsh, but the Grecians sealed maximum points when Law completed his brace on 71 minutes following a mix-up between Dons keeper Lee Nicholls and Walsh, earning manager Matt Taylor a win over his predecessor Tisdale.
As well as the game marking Tisdale's St James Park return, the Dons' line-up also included former Grecians midfielder Ryan Harley and David Wheeler, currently on loan from QPR, and former Exeter loanee Lawson D'ath made an appearance from the subs bench.
The victory also puts City level on points with the Dons, and they now only trail them on goal difference.