Northampton 3 Exeter 1

NORTHAMPTON were still top of Division Four today thanks to a Jim Hall double act. He scored his two goals in a second half spree which swamped Exeter revival bid. Northampton attacked from the start. And they shocked Exeter early on when John Farrington put the ball through to Don Martin who shot wide.

At the other end Exeter had their moments. A John Wingate chance also went wide. But Northampton's pressure continued and when Hall and Andy McGowan tested the Exeter defence. Dave Munks had to quickly pass back to keeper Richard Key. Exeter had an escape after ten minutes when Hall missed a penalty Farrington was going through when he was brought down by Munks but when Hall drove in hard and low from the spot. Key dived to his left and saved by the post. Key was again in action midway through the first halt when he spectacularly punched a right-wing cross from Farrington for a corner.

Exeter were lively when they broke away. Lammie Robertson forced his way through the Northampton defence, and was robbed by goalkeeper Alan Starling.

Exeter took an unexpected lead after 26 minutes when Alan Beer headed over Starlings head from a cross shot by Robertson. But Northampton equalised when Exeter right back Brian Joy made a mistake and Hall went through on the left and sent home a low shot which beat Key.