Canon League Div. 4:

Colchester 3
(Adcock, Groves. Hull),
Exeter 4
(Sims. Smith, Harrower, Pratt);

SENSATIONAL WIN BY CITY

Colchester blunder

Colchester surrendered their unbeaten home record thanks to a series of second-half blunders that saw visitors Exeter overturn a 2-1 deficit to win 4-3.

Exeter's first away win as Colchester pay for errors.

Pratt City hero in thrilling win.

EXETER CITY, who had scored only one goal away from home. this season, cashed in to the full on Colchester's defensive errors at Layer Road last night.

Trailing 2-1 at half-time and 3-2 soon after the break City hit back superbly to secure their first away win of the season with quickfire goals from Steve Harrower and Ray Pratt.

As early as the fourth minute, John Sims, who played a couple of games for Colchester back in 1975. punished a poor back pass from Keith Day and nipped in to give the home 'keeper no chance. After that for a long spell, Exeter were under the hammer and Jeff Wood did well to save at the foot of a post from Keith Bowen.

But after six minutes, a long crossfield ball from Parkinson found Osborne unmarked on the right and when the cross came over Tony Adcock rounded the 'keeper to score his 10th goal of the season.

Colchester continued to pile on the pressure and Sims had to limp off with what looked like a pulled muscle to be replaced by substitute Martin Ling.

Bowen went close again for Colchester, the ball passing just Over the bar with Woods stranded, and then as proceed- ings heated up, Danny O'Shea had his name taken for kicking the ball away after having penalised for handling. The home team went in front

after 35 minutes when Adcock completely wrong-footed the Exeter defence and although Wood parried Bowen's header, the rebound ran to Jeff Hull, who slotted in the rebound.

There were a couple more bookings before half-time Nick Marker for a foul on Bowen and Adcock for almost decapitat- ing Graeme Kirkup, who was about to take a throw in.

Kevin Smith punished a terrible back pass from Parkinson to put Exeter level but their joy was short lived for Jim McNichol trying to clear only succeeded in running the ball into the path of Perry Groves, who hammered in an shot.

Three minutes later, Harrower ran completely through the Colchester left flank defence before placing the ball out of goalkeeper Chamberlain's reach.

Two minutes later there was more elation in the Exeter camp when the home defence failed to cut out a cross from Steve Neville and Ray Pratt grabbed City's winner.

There was another escape for
the home team when McNichol was allowed a free shot at goal that rebounded off the unsighted 'keeper's legs.

The last 20 minutes saw Exeter's goal besieged and Adcock's shot was beaten out by Wood, who was grounded in the process but luckily for City he put the rebound over the bar. Wood was in action again to save from Bowen's header and Groves, with a great chance somehow screwed the ball wide of an untenanted goal. Colchester, who had 14 corners, finally conceded one to Exeter ten minutes from the end and once more their defence was found wanting. When the ball came over Ling's shot was put behind by Chamberlain, diving wildly to his right.

Colchester brought on Russell Irving, a striker. for defender Andy Farrell, near the end, but Exeter held out in a game that saw both sides decidedly shaky at the back. Exeter's joy at the result was marred somewhat by five bookings- O'Shea, Marker and Ling for fouls, goalkeeper Woods for time-wasting and Kirkup for tripping an opponent.

Star players
EXETER McNichol.
COLCHESTER Osborne.

Attendance: 1,846.


Colchester Utd
1. Alec Chamberlain
2. Andy Farrell
3. lan Phillips
4. Noel Parkinson
5. Keith Day.
6. Stewart Houston
7. Perry Groves
8. Roger Osborne
9. Keith Bowen
10. Tony Adcock
11. Jeff Hull
Sub(s):
12. Russell Irving - replaced Andy Farrell

Goalscorers

6' Tony Adcock. 35' Jeff Hull. 52' Perry Groves.

Cyril Lea - Manager

Exeter City
1. Jeff Wood
2. Graeme Kirkup
3. Keith Viney
4. Danny O'Shea
5. Nicky Marker
6. Jim McNichol
7. Steve Harrower
8. Kevin Smith
9. John Sims
10. Ray Pratt
11. Steve Neville
Sub(s):
12. Martin Ling - replaced John Sims

Goalscorers
4' John Sims 51' Kevin Smith 54' Steve Harrower 55' Ray Pratt

Jim lley - Manager