Bury 2 Exeter City 0.

Saturday 6 November 2010

Ref: Oliver Langford

Att: 2359 with 266 City fans.

FA Cup 1st round

BBC match report –

League Two Bury caused an upset as they beat Exeter, who are a division higher, to reach the FA Cup second round.

Danny Nardiello hit the post early on for the visitors, while Bury's Andy Hawarth saw an effort tipped onto the post by City goalkeeper Artur Krysiak.

The home side took the lead when a Mike Jones free-kick was met by Efe Sodje who powered in a header.

Exeter failed to clear a Jones corner and allowed Tom Lees to fire in from close range to double the advantage.

The Grecians will have to wait at least another year before the possibility of another glamour tie - like the 2005 third round trip to Manchester United - after they succumbed to lower league opposition.

And it was Bury who began the stronger, as in only the third minute Haworth's powerful 25-yard drive was brilliantly palmed onto the post by Exeter stopper Krysiak.

If the alarm bells were not already ringing, Bury gave their clearest sign of intent just before the half hour. Midfielder Mike Jones floated in a beautifully weighted free-kick, and defensive stalwart Efe Sodje did his damage in the opposition's penalty box for once with a bullet header.

City went close to equalising shortly after the restart, when wide-man Liam Sercombe hooked a cross-shot onto the crossbar. But having failed to capitalise on a good opportunity, Bury made them pay.

Jones once again delivered a dangerous ball from a corner which was not defended adequately, and centre-back Lees thumped the ball home to send the Shakers dancing into round two.

For Bury, the victory will be a source of much pride for a club who have twice won the FA Cup, back in 1900 and 1903.

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale, told BBC Radio Devon:

"It's hard to be too glowing about your team when you've lost 2-0 in the FA Cup.

"My verdict of the team is we failed in crucial moments and they didn't.

"The rest of the game our team had energy and application, and they remained bullish and confident as long as they could, but the facts are we conceded two goals."