MONDAY 25th OCTOBER 1976

BLANK WEEKEND FOR CITY

Fourth Division

Stockport County 0 Exeter City O


Stockport County team: Holbrook, Loadwick, Rutter, Thompson, Lennard, Fogarty, McBeth, McNeill, Daniels, Johnson (Sutcliffe), Massey.

Exeter City team: Key, Hore, Hooker,. Morrin, Phillipson-Masters, Hatch, Weeks, Kellow, Robertson, Holman, Jennings.

Attendance: 5,490

Although the Grecians did pick up a point at Stockport, they once again failed to hit the back of the net, following on from their 2-0 defeat at Southend United 48-hours earlier. City shocked their hosts as early as the second minute when Lammie Robertson headed into the net, but the referee, after consulting a linesman, disallowed the goal. Tony Morrin, returning to the team after injury, also had a goal disallowed against his former club.

Exeter then survived a hectic ten-minute spell when Richard Key made a magnificent flying save and the City goal post was also struck as Stockport piled forward. By half-time City were holding their own and even took the initiative after the interval when Stockport lost the sparkle of their opening burst.

Tony Kellow, also back in the side after injury, sent in a shot on the half turn which grazed the post with the goalkeeper unable to get to the ball. Morrin worked tirelessly to inspire Exeter's attacks and there was a good chance when Robertson and Harry Holman cut open the Stockport defence only to fail to get in a finishing shot.

Stockport grew desperate to avoid failing to score for the first time at home in League matches so far this season, and the referee turned down their appeal for a penalty when Massey thought he had been fouled by Key.