Exeter City 1 (Rowbotham)
Norwich City 1 (Fleck)

by Mark Halliwell
A split-second lapse in concentration cost Exeter City the chance of a major Cup upset.

While Exeter's players and supporters were still celebrating Darran Rowbotham's 85th minute goal, Norwich broke quickly from the kick-off and Robert Fleck slotted past Kevin Miller to earn his side a replay.

A draw was the fairest result , however, after this stirring cup-tie. Neither side deserved to come off second best after 90 minutes on a pitch made very heavy by constant rain. City put up a wonderful performance with skipper Shaun Taylor outstanding against the 6ft 5in threat of Robert Rosario, and young Tony Frankland also putting in a fine show, keeping dangerous winger Dale Gordon quiet.

But the accolades for Exeter's top man go to goalkeeper Kevin Miller, who denied Norwich time and again as Exeter's battling cup fighters tired in the heavy conditions. The Grecians got off to a bright start, forcing three corners in the first ten minutes, with Norwich keeper Bryan Gunn having to be alert from the third corner to clutch the ball ahead of the advancing Jim McNichol. But Norwich emerged from their shell and proceeded to take over, with Rosario denied after 16 minutes by a superb tackle by McNichol. The lively Steve Neville forced a save out of Gunn when he got onto the end of Clive Whitehead's cross and sent a header towards the top corner. Exeter kept up the pressure, with Bailey's left-wing cross forcing Mark Bowen to misskick, but unluckily his error took the ball away from the advancing Brian McDermott. The top scorer, Darran Rowbotham, who had been kept quiet by centre halves lan Butterworth and Andy Linighan, broke free after McDermott had put him through but disappointingly shot straight at Gunn. He then combined well with Whitehead to fire in a low cross which was dropped by Gunn but, fortunately for him, Bowen was on hand to clear. Bailey, who was impressive throughout, needed treatment after he had come off worse in a clash of heads with Ian Crook. At half time, neither side seemed to be on top, but Norwich seemed capable of having that extra gear. Exeter got off to a good start in the second half and nearly took the lead after 49 minutes. Rowbotham found Neville on the right, and he whipped in a cross which Whitehead headed narrowly wide. Gunn had to be alert again to fall at Neville's feet after Frankland's left-wing cross had fallen invitingly for him. But Norwich reminded Exeter of their ever-present threat with Fleck sending a 30-yard chip narrowly over the bar. Exeter were now tiring, and Norwich took control. David Phillips, formerly with Ply- mouth Argyle, got behind the defence but instead of shooting he tried to pull the ball back for Fleck and Taylor was on hand to clear. Miller made a tremendous save on 68 minutes to redeem a bad mistake by Scott Hiley. A back pass from the young full back stuck in the mud and Miller raced from his line to hack clear. His clearance cannoned off Fleck's body but luckily bounced to safety. Fleck got clear of the defence again a minute later and was inches wide as he attempted to place a shot into the far corner. Exeter got the breakthrough five minutes from time when Neville beat Bowen on the right and whipped a cross in for Rowbotham to loop his header over Gunn's body to send the St James's Park crowd into a frenzy. But they were silent almost immediately when Bowen sent a long ball through to Fleck, and he coolly slotted past the advancing Miller to earn his side a replay at Carrow Road on Wednesday.

Exeter City 
Miller, Hiley, Benjamin, McNichol,Taylor,Whitehead, Rowbotham, Bailey, McDermott, Neville, Frankland

Subs: Batty (for McDermott, 87 mins), and Cooper.

Norwich:
Gunn, Culverhouse, Bowen, Butterworth, Linighan, Townsend, Gordon, Fleck, Rosario, Crook, Phillips.
Subs: Sherwood, Mortensen.

Referee Mr P. L. Foakes (Clacton-on-Sea) ★★

Attendance 9,061