WEDNESDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 1970.

CITY'S PLAY WAS NOT CONVINCING.

EXETER CITY 2
Wilson; Crawford, Blain; Morris, Sharples, Balson; Rowan, Mitten, Gadston,Wingate , Corr

SOUTHEND UNITED 0.
Lloyd; Lindley, Simpson; Chisnall, Smith, Bentley; Baber, Best, Garner, Chambers,
Beesley,

Scorers:
Exeter Corr, Gadston,
Attendance 5,190.

NOT even two goals in the last 20 minutes can completelyeradicate the memory that this largely was a pretty pedestrian performance by Exeter against a Southend side, who looked more promising in attack than in fact they were, and who were always suspect in defence. It took right-back Campbell Crawford to lift this game out of the doldrums of just another Fourth Division run of the mill affair and lay on the goal that led to Exeter's win. The goal he engineered just about decided the issue although seconds before the referee could blow his whistle for time Exeter got another. Until these two incidents it looked as though this may well end in a goalless draw with both sides being forgiven for crying over spilt milk in the way of mised chances. Although in the end Exeter deserved to win they never stamped with any real authority, and until Crawford showed his attack the way to get a goal, these chances which went begging could be almost equally divided between the sides. Southend had two good spells, at the start of both halves, But although at times their forwards moved well, looking as impressive in short bursts as Southend's famous mile-long pier, like that pier they ended up nowhere. In between these spells Exeter had more than their share of the game and certainly had they capitalised on all their chances the result would not have been in doubt until 20 minutes from the end. But Exeter's play was at times unbelievably untidy, littered with mistakes, and lacking the cohesion and fluency that marks a side of distinction. John Wingate toiled away up front with all his usual tenacity, but too often his work came to nothing because he lacked support. It looked for a long time as if the running and effort alone would not bring Exeter success in this game, but finally they did pay off even if it did take Crawford to show his forwards how to create an opening. Exeter were let off the hook in the opening stages. Inside right Billy Best should have cashed in on Phil Chisnall's free kick, but his header was well wide. Then, Best had an opportunity for point-blank range a shot which Bob Wilson almost miraculously blocked. But then it was Southend's turn to count their lucky stars. A tremendous drive from John Corr bounced off keeper Brian Lloyd on to the crossbar and was cleared, and on top of that John Mitten, Wingate and Corr all could have picked up a goal with more sharpness and certainty. The second half was very much a repeat performance until Crawford suddenly raced down the wing, elegantly beating two Southend defenders and just managing to get in his cross for Corr to head into the net. On time Barry Rowan floated one across, which was helped on by a Wingate flick of the head and Joe Gadston swept the ball into the net with comparative ease.