Exeter City got back to winning ways away from home with a 2-1 win over Notts County at Meadow Lane in Sky Bet League Two.
By Ben Strange

An early strike from Jake Taylor and a smart finish from Jayden Stockley gave the Grecians a two-goal cushion at half-time, before Jon Stead pulled a goal back for the hosts with a second-half penalty.

Despite late pressure from the home side, City hung on and claimed an excellent three points on the road.

Paul Tisdale made just one change to the side that beat Coventry City last time out as Craig Woodman came in for Dan Seaborne with Dean Moxey switching to central defence to partner Troy Archibald-Henville in Nottinghamshire.

The Grecians dominated the opening encounters and they took the lead on eight minutes. Lloyd James’ free kick eventually found its way to Dean Moxey, who cannoned an effort off the post, before it rebounded into the path of an unmarked Taylor who tapped in from close range to give City the perfect start.

City then had another brilliant chance on 15 minutes when Lloyd James latched onto a Lee Holmes throw-in before he darted into the area, but unfortunately for the Grecians, his cross towards Ryan Harley was intercepted and cleared.

The home side were unable to fashion any clear-cut chances in the first half, with Christy Pym relatively untested apart from collecting a couple of dangerous crosses.

The Grecians continued to pose a threat to Kevin Nolan’s side with Stockley causing plenty of problems for the County defence as he looked to hold up the ball for the likes of Holmes and James who would frequently join the attack.

Tisdale’s side then put themselves further ahead on 42 minutes through Stockley. After defending a spell of County pressure, the Grecians broke when Taylor played an excellent ball over the top for the City number 11.

And after controlling the ball, the forward played it onto his left foot before he curled an excellent effort past Ross Fitzsimons to give City a two-goal cushion at the break.

After the break, despite the home side seeing a lot more of the ball, it was City who created the first chance of the half. After working a throw-in well, Stockley turned brilliantly before unleashing a shot on the edge of the box which came back off the crossbar as the Grecians looked to further their advantage.

The hosts then created a good opportunity on 60 minutes when Jorge Grant got down the left and delivered a dangerous cross to the back post and Lewis Alessandra volleyed at goal, but for a vital block by Moxey.

Jorge Grant then had an effort on goal, but for a good save down low by Pym as the Grecians battled against a County side who were beginning to dominate much of the chances.

Nolan’s side were then awarded a penalty when Archibald-Henville was adjudged to have fouled substitute Shola Ameobi as both players challenged for a free-kick. Jon Stead then subsequently despatched the penalty sending Pym the wrong way.

County continued to turn up the pressure on City when Liam Noble had two efforts at goal within just a couple of minutes of each other, both going just wide after initial good work from Stead in the build-up play.

The hosts continued to pump balls into the City box but some resolute defending ensured City held out for a vital three points at Meadow Lane.

Notts County: Fitzsimons, Hewitt, Virtue (Ameobi, 62), Alessandra, Grant, Brisley (Dickinson, 83), Noble, Hunt, Husin (Walker, 67), Jones, Stead

Subs not used: Pindroch, Hawkridge, Forte, Smith

Booked:

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, Woodman, James, Archibald-Henville, Tillson, Harley, Holmes (Wilson, 67), Stockley, Moxey, Taylor (Boateng, 75)

Subs not used: Jones, Simpson, McAlinden, Seaborne, Edwards

Booked:

Attendance: 6,677 (Inc, 428, away)