EXETER CITY 2
PETERBOROUGH UNITED 2

WORDS BY PHILIP KNOWLES. PICTURES BY CHRIS HOWES

Both sets of fans enjoyed the sight of the World Champions Royal Marines Free Fall Parachute team in action before settling down for the game. Announcer John Pierce's comment "That shows you can get into the Cowshed without a pass" when two unfortunates were slightly off target was one of the quotes of the season. Peterborough missed two early chances that seemed to un-nerve the usually reliable

Kevin Miller. Peter Whiston cleared off the line from Tony Adcock and Bobby Barnes somehow managed to shoot wide from a clear position. City were offering little at this stage although Gary Marshall was close to a John Hodge cross and Whiston released lan Thompstone with a superb through pass, his shot flying over the crossbar. Peterborough broke the deadlock after 27 minutes when Adcock crossed for Sterling to hold the ball up and allow the prolific Ken Charlery to cooly slot home.

Barnes received a knee injury shortly afterwards and this seemed to be the turning point of the game. On 33 minutes Hodge collected a cross from Thompstone and his chip was adjudged to have been handled by Marcus Ebdon, the decision being made by the linesman. TV replays after seemed to clearly suggest the decision was correct. Tom Kelly stepped up and hammered a clean shot into the roof of the net.

Kelly and Hilaire combined well to come close to adding a second goal but Marshall was unable to provide the finish to Thompstone's well placed cross. Soon after half-time Hodge again broke free and unselfishly passed square to Marshall but he was robbed by a timely interception by Noel Luke.

A Hodge corner was then flicked on by Whiston to Marshall but the header lacked power. In the 70th minute Hodge, who had an outstanding, match, crossed for Thompstone to power a header past lan Bennett to give City a deserved lead. Peterborough rallied and Sterling shot over from 8 yards. Charlery brought a good save out of Miller and then shot over from point blank range.

The equaliser came in the 86th minute. Garry Butterworth prodding home a Charlery cross. The points lost mean City, very surprisingly, need points to be sure of retaining Third Division status.

Photos 
1: Man of the Match John Hodge on another raid down the right wing

2. Tom Kelly crashes home the opener from the penalty spot.

3. Kevin Miller safely gathers in!

4. Gary Marshall in aerial action against The Posh