PHILIP KNOWLES WATCHES CITY V TORQUAY

Exeter City 1 (Kelly) Torquay Utd 0

If luck played a part in this match it was certainly on the side of City as they ended a run of 5 defeats. The decisive strike came in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Gary Marshall's inswinging corner from the right struck the upright and spun tantalisingly towards the penalty spot where City skipper Tom Kelly headed home superbly against his former team.

Torquay must have realised it was not to be their game by half-time. They had looked by far the better team, creating most chances but failing in front of goal. Alan Ball opted to play 17 year old Toby Redwood at left back but his inexperience showed clearly at times and he was put under considerable pressure. Graham Waters replaced the youngster at half-time, he will have learnt from this experience, with Jonathan Brown reverting from an unfamiliar midfield anchor role to left back.

City were better after the break. After 57 minutes Waters cut in from the left and hit a powerful drive from 25 yards that passed just wide. Steve O'Shaughnessy replaced the transfer listed Darran Rowbotham in the 65th minute. Quickly he was in a good position but Peter Whiston cut out the oppor funity when Gary Marshall's pass was not precise.

O'Shaughnessy played a good ball for Moran on 81 minutes but Gareth Howells raced out to save. Four minutes later Torquay substitute Mark Dobie'broke free but Revin Miller pushed his shot for a corner.

In the fourth minute of time added on, the unantici pated happenedl Relly scored his first ever goal in open play in the Football League and City had, temporarily at least, shed their blues. The old enemy was defeated.