Preston 0-0 Exeter City 

17th March 1978

Key Saves The Day And Wins Nobby's Praise

EXETER City became the first team to gain a point at Deepdale sirice Wrexham defeated Preston way back in November. The fact that Preston failed to score for the first time since September - gave a pointer to the way the game went.

Every credit must be given to City for their sterling second half performance. For nearly the whole of the period, their defence had to withstand an onslaught few other teams could have survived. Goalkeeper Richard Key was the star man. He was forced to make several split second saves and was fault- less on each occasion. He stopped goal bound shots from Coleman, Haslegrave and Elwiss with his feet. And his heroics were praised by North End manager Nobby Stiles.

In the first half play switched from end to end and Exeter had the better of the play. Former Argyle player John Delve, in his second outing with City, saw his 30 yard snap shot go just wide early in the game. At the other end, Preston could have taken an early lead but Ricky Thomson, the number 9, failed to capitalise on a Mike Elwiss cross. He blasted his shot over the bar with Key stranded. From the breakaway, a City attack ended with a bouncing ball on the edge of the penalty area being misjudged by Graham Cross. Keith Bowker nipped in, but his header was too weak. After 34 minutes, Exeter should have been awarded a penalty. Winger Harry Holman dribbled into the Preston penalty area and heading for goal was jostled unfairly off the ball. But referee Gwyn Owen, of Anglesey, amazingly awarded City a free kick some five yards outside the box. Credit must again be awarded to City for not arguing with the harsh decision. Just before half time Bobby Hodge was close with a long range shot.

Then came the second half raid on the Exeter goal. Key began his miraculous display after 47 minutes. After a good move by the home side - involving Bruce, Thomson and Haslegrave - Coleman found himself clear and sent in a thunderbolt, but Key made an incredible reflex save with his feet enabling a defender to clear the ball. Key was still in the thick of things three minutes from the end, when Col- eman dribbled his way past two defenders only to be thwarted by the goal- keeper. After the match, manager Bobby Saxton, glad of a point, was full of praise for his defence but thought his team's passing abilities up front were weak in patches.

Preston:- Tunks; McMahon and Cameron;
Burns, Baxter, and Cross; Coleman, Haslegrave, Thomson, Elwiss, and Bruce.

Exeter City:- Key; Templeman and Roberts;
Bowker, Giles, and Hore; Delve, Kellow, Randell, Holman, and Hodge.