City hit back to clinch derby joy

Exeter City 3 Torquay United 2

REPORT: PETER FIELDING PICTURES: NIGEL CHANTER

EXETER City grabbed the points in the Devon Derby after a five-goal thriller at St James' Park. Torquay dominated the first half and deserved to be ahead at the interval. But Torquay conceded three times after the break before a late goal set up a nail-biting finish. Wes Saunders was able to field an unchanged side apart from suspended striker Tony Bedeau, who was replaced by O'Neil Donaldson. Exeter, desperate to halt their slide down the table after five league defeats, had skipper Jon Richardson absent but former Torquay favourite Jon Gittens played despite injury doubts. The Gulls looked the form side after the kick-off and created two early chances. Paul Holmes' deep cross from the left was met by Eifion Williams in the third minute but his header was deflected wide by Geoff Breslan. A minute later Wayne Thomas forced a great save from Stuart Naylor with a close range volley following Holmes' corner. Mike O'Brien drove a dangerous low cross across the face of goal but it just managed to alude the waiting Donaldson and Alex Watson. Exeter's only early chance fell to Graeme Power, who thumped the ball over the bar from 25-yards. Torquay deservedly took the lead on 19 minutes. Donaldson struck a superb 20-yard pass toward Chris Brandon, who held the ball up long enough to find O'Brien on the overlap and he thumped the ball into the corner from 15-yards. Gary Alexander attempted to respond instantly for the Grecians and his fine run was ended by Wayne Thomas' obstruction on the edge of the box. Power struck the resulting free kick into the wall and the opportunity was squandered. The game lapsed into a scrappy period after a bright start with both sides battling for possession. Breslen whipped in a dangerous low cross from the right which was well cleared by Watson. Kofi Nyamah scuffed a 20-yard shot past the post after a neat exchange with Alexander. But Exeter had to wait until the stroke of half-time for their first shot on target when Breslan's low drive was comfortably saved by Neville Southall. Five minutes after the restart Exeter were level. Thomas misdirected a pass to Power, who found the lively Alexander. His fierce 20-yard shot struck Lee Boylan and deflected wickedly past Southall for the youngster's first ever league goal. Buoyant Exeter then took swept into the lead on 59 minutes. Chris Curran's long throw was half cleared by Watson and Gittens fired home from close range against his former club. Ten minutes later the Gulls almost equalised when Williams hit the post from eight yards and Gittens cleared the ball off the line from Kevin Hill in a goalmouth scramble. On 75 minutes City were further ahead when Jason Rees found Boylan with a long ball. He picked out Alexander and the on- loan West Ham striker unleashed an unstoppable shot from 15-yards. Torquay still weren't finished and with three minutes to go substitute Michael Griffiths controlled a loose ball inside the box and fired home from a tight angle.