Aldershot Town 1 Exeter City 0. L2. Saturday 15 November 2008.
Referee Pat Miller

Attendance:- 3,784 with 785 City fans.

Recreation Ground Hoodoo strikes again 

Report by Jim Shepherd 

There are a few things guaranteed in life. Death, taxes, City losing at Aldershot. This 8th visit to the Recreation Ground since the formation of the "new" Aldershot ended the way of the other 7. It was the visitors who made the brighter start, settling quickly into the sort of rhythm that has heralded five away victories to date. An early comer saw Danny Seaborne rise highest to nod just over the bar. At the other end, Paul Jones dealt comfortably with a number of testing crossesCity perhaps thought they might have a shout for a penalty (unfortunately your writer was unsighted) in a move that led to Marcus Stewart heading tamely over the bar, while a succession of comers failed to yield a serious effort on goal. And that was part of the problem City were creative, Ryan Harley slotting nicely back into the side, but lacked the cutting edge to break down AldershotTime after time Adam Stansfield chased a lost cause, only to find a lack of support from midfield- an area where the drive of Matt Gill was sorely missed, as City failed to attack with numbers. So, the interval came with City well ahead on points but having failed to strike the knockout blow. To keep up with the Boxing analogies, a bruised and battered Aldershot returned several minutes later than City from their corner invigorated, and set about chasing the win. The goal, when it came, will go down as one that Steve Tully will not wish to see again. With Seabome beaten, Tully came across to cover with John Grant bearing downTully looked to play the ball back to Jones, but completely miscuedplaying in Grant who slotted past Jones. Dean Moxey nearly restored parity with a scorching right foot shot that Nikki Bull in the Aldershot goal brilliantly parried (although the ball might just have been going wide). City in the meantime made their subs- firstly a double change with Jack Obersteller and Manny Panther replacing Bertie Cozic and Steve Basham, before Ben Watson then replaced Rob Edwards. What appeared to be a fatal blow to City's chances was dealt with about 15-20 minutes remaining Davies and Moxey chased a ball towards the edge of City's box. As the ball entered the area Moxey put in a shoulder charge, only to find the linesman flagging furiously and putting his flag to his chest. Penalty-cue wild protests from City and the massed ranks of fans who enjoyed a good view of the incident , for confronting the linesman (albeit his language was clean-Moxey merely saying "Why?" over and over), earned a yellow card.
John Grant stepped up, and justice was done as Jones parried the shot. Grant had another try, Jones saving superbly again, the ball fell again to an Aldershot playerJones saved again, before finally the ball went out for a goal kick. City, galvanised by the penalty save, tried to get back into the matchbut Stansfield, clearly fouled inches outside the box, was again given nothingHe later hit the bar with a superb header, but the flag had long since gone upbefore Aldershot were reduced to 10 men when Danny Hylton was sent off for a challenge on Tully. With not much time left, City looked to chase the game. Obersteller and Panther in particular looking dangerousPanther waltzed through the defence, but when it came to pulling the trigger he was found wantingand miskicked into the grateful arms of BullAt the other end Aldershot looked dangerous on the break, Jones having to be alert on several occasions, before time ran out.

2nd Report 

BBC Match report –

John Grant grabbed a second-half winner to ensure that Exeter failed to bounce back from last weekend's FA Cup misery. Grant should have made it two with a penalty after a foul on Scott Davies but his effort was well saved by Grecians keeper Paul Jones. Exeter had started brightly and went close with Daniel Seabourne heading wide after five minutes. Aldershot finished the match with 10 men after Danny Hylton saw red for a foul on Steve Tully.

Aldershot: Bull, Soares, Day, Charles, Straker, Hylton, Harding, Davies, Hudson, Grant, Morgan (Sandell 84). Subs Not Used: Chalmers, Elvins, Donnelly, Newman.

Sent Off: Hylton (88).
Booked: Hudson, Davies, Morgan.

Goals: Grant 53.

Exeter: Jones, Tully, Seaborne, Taylor, Harley, Moxey, Cozic (Panther 55), Edwards (Watson 68), Basham (Obersteller 55), Stansfield, Stewart. Subs Not Used: Marriott, Sercombe.

Booked: Taylor, Moxey.