Wareham rose highest to nod Ilmari Niskanen’s superb cross into the bottom-right corner to score his seventh league goal of the season in the 37th minute.

The striker got on the end of another delivery before heading over the crossbar, and Nathan Bishop saved Reece Cole’s free-kick as Exeter turned the screw at the start of the second half.

The Dons thought they had equalised in the 66th minute when the ball bounced into the back of the net following a goalmouth scramble.

However, it was ruled out by referee Jacob Miles after Whitworth was adjudged to have been fouled during a melee in the box in the build-up.

Marcus Browne was picked out on the edge of the box in the third minute of stoppage time, but he blasted his effort over.

Bishop produced an excellent stop to deny Jack McMillan at the far post as the game drew to a close.

The defeat leaves Johnnie Jackson’s side without a league win since a 2-1 triumph over Plymouth in October.