WEDNESDAY 13th DECEMBER -
EXETER CITY 3 MAIDSTONE UNITED 2

Despite lashing rain, Exeter and Maidstone combined to provide the frozen spectators with a real classic. In a way though, the conditions were the very reason for this match being so entertaining as the soaking wet surface was a defender's nightmare.

The early stages were dominated by City and we took the lead on seven minutes, Steve Neville shot was blocked by keeper Mark Beeney but the ball fell invitingly into the path of the ever-clinical Darran Rowbotham. City's top scorer also had a good effort saved and another clipped the bar.

Kevin Miller's doubters had further cause for concern after thirty-three minutes. Kev ran out of his area as Warren Barton broke forward when there was plenty of defensive cover and the full back's cross found Steve Butler with an open goal in front of him. However, it wasn't too long before City took the lead again and a real cracker it was too. Dazza headed to Steve Neville who knocked the ball out to the left for Brian McDermott. Our man on the wing then took the ball on and drove superbly past Beeney.

This wasn't one of Mark Cooper's greatest days but he did win a penalty just after the interval. He was brought down just inside the penalty area and just as we were thinking that the game would be wrapped up, Darran did the impossible... and missed from the spot. This was the signal for Maidstone to have their best spell of the game, culminating with a second equaliser. Steve Butler's cross left everyone flat-footed in he City defence and Mark Gall had the easiest of chances to head home.

Maidstone then looked the more likely winners, on two occasions only a last ditch clearance in the City goalmouth prevented a certain goal. Thus, when Dazza popped up to score our third, it was much against the run of play. A long punt upfield from Miller, confidence seemingly restored after his earlier error, found the Welsh striker and he outpaced the defence, rounded Beeney, and slotted the ball into an empty net. From that point on the Stones only had one real chance to stay in the Cup - that chance though was gilt edged. Kevin Miller parried a cross straight to Ken Charlery and, much to our amazement, he missed with virtually the whole goal to aim at. 

So that was that. City just about deserving their win, but it isn't difficult to see why Maidstone are doing so well in the League.