A fair result to a competitive derby, short on quality, but high on enthusiasm.
Steve Flack's goal punished poor Bristol Rovers defending, but Paul Tait's header got the home side going and Guiliano Grazioli's penalty miss proved crucial.
Exeter could take more satisfaction from a result that left Rovers with only one win from eight games and Kevin Miller left the Memorial Stadium with a smile on his face after surviving three second-half errors.
The Exeter goalkeeper redeemed himself on two occasions, including a penalty save, but also needed Lady Luck on his side to ensure his team of a point.
Flack had fired Exeter ahead after 27 minutes after strike partner James Coppinger had teed up a chance that was dispatched left-footed from eight yards.
But the lead lasted only 12 minutes before a right-wing free-kick found the head of Tait, who directed the ball beyond Miller's dive from 15 yards.
From then on most of the incident centred around Miller, who brought down Tait to concede a 52nd minute penalty, having dropped a straightforward catch at the striker's feet.
Grazioli hit his spot-kick weakly and Miller dived to his left to make a low save.
The goalkeeper was again at fault on 69 minutes when fumbling a 25-yard free-kick from Vitalijs Astafjevs. This time Miller was relieved to see the ball bounce just the wrong side of a post.
His third mistake came on 77 minutes when a weak punch set up a glorious scoring chance for Rovers substitute Lewis Hogg. The shot was delayed fractionally and Miller dived bravely to intercept and turn the ball away.
Exeter went close in the second half through Flack and Andy Roscoe which curled inches wide.
But Rovers also created chances and Grazioli's miserable day was completed when he volleyed over from a Tait cross five minutes from time.
There were six bookings, three for each side, in a keenly fought West Country derby. Both managers could feel satisfied with the commitment of their teams, although the final pass was too often astray