Margate 0-1 Exeter

Substitute Barry McConnell's second-half penalty earned Exeter their first win of the season in an entertaining encounter at Hartsdown Park.

McConnell, who replaced the injured Scott Hiley after 24 minutes, held his nerve to dispatch a well-taken penalty just before the hour mark after Renier Moor was fouled in the box by Jay Saunders.

In an evenly-contested first-half, both sides had good opportunities to take the lead.

Margate striker Warren Patmore wasted a golden opportunity after 19 minutes when he somehow managed to head over from close range.

The Grecians responded positively and Martin Thomas went close after 38 minutes when his fierce volley from the right-hand side of the penalty area rocketed just over the crossbar.

Exeter came out after the interval firing on all cylinders after the break and McConnell scored what proved the decisive goal from the penalty spot after 59 minutes.

Saunders was provoked into a rash challenge on Moor and the referee had no option other than to award a penalty which was coolly converted by McConnell.

Margate: Smith, Oates, O'Connell, Porter, Leberl, Annon, Keister, McFlynn, Saunders, Patmore, Sigere. Subs: Stadhart, Pullman, Abbott, Sodje, Clarke.

Exeter: Bittner, Hiley, Gaia, Todd, Jeannin, Coppinger, Cronin, Thomas, Ampadu, Flack, Moor. Subs: McConnell, Reed, Canham, Afful, Rice.

Referee: A Conn (Royston).