SATURDAY 19th MARCH 1977

CITY HELD BY BOURNEMOUTH

Exeter City 1 AFC Bournemouth 1

Exeter City team: Baugh, Gay, Hore, Weeks, Saxton, Hatch, Hodge, Kellow, Robertson, Beer, Jennings. AFC

Bournemouth team: Baker, Butler (Rudge), Miller, Cunningham, Impey, Barton, Johnson, Cave, Howarth, Gritt, Stuckey.

Scorers:
Exeter: Robertson: Bournemouth: Gritt (og)

Conditions at St. James' Park were atrocious, but nevertheless this was a disappointing performance by Exeter City. Had they shown the form they produced after the interval for the entire 90 minutes, then it might well have been a different result.

The first half was as dull as the weather, but what a change in the second half as the Grecians stepped up a gear. After Bournemouth had taken the lead in the 46th minute, Exeter really came to life in the mud. It was virtually all one way traffic as they kept going forward with relentless pressure, but Bournemouth battled bravely in defence.

18-year-old debutant Steve Gritt put Bournemouth in front, but then it was all Exeter until the final whistle. They did everything but score with visiting goalkeeper Keiron Baker making some outstanding saves, in particular from Alan Beer and Bobby Hodge.

It took a piece of a sheer individual brilliance by midfielder Lammie Robertson to get that City equaliser. Showing superb skills and artistry he beat two players and then smashed a 25-yard cross shot into the far corner of the net.