GRITTY CITY GRAB A POINT

SCUNTHORPE UNITED 1
Shearer.
EXETER CITY 1 
Edwards.

Half-time 0-0

Played at the Old Show Ground, Scunthorpe.

Monday May 2nd 1988.

Attendance 6,736.

Match Report by Trina Lake 

A controversial equaliser two minutes from time by Dean Edwards earned Exeter an excellent point at promotion chasing Scunthorpe. Scunthorpe were adamant that the striker handled before shooting home, but the referee would have none of it. Keeper Mel Gwinnett handled confidently behind a solid back four and that was the secret of Exeter's success. Up front, little came City's way but Edwards made the best of a rare opening.

There was an emotion charged atmosphere as Scunthorpe played what was billed as their final Fourth Division fixture at the Old Show Ground before a crowd approaching 7,000. Scunthorpe, who have sold their ground to a supermarket chain and are movingt to a new £22-million stadium in August, invited back former stars for a nostalgic final game.  But Exeter's grit and determination put a damper on their day. Scunthorpe, a high scoring side put together some neat approach play in the early stages but could make little impression. It was 12 minutes before Gwinnett was called upon to save as Flounders got in a weak header. And when Hill's cross eluded the 'keeper, Shaun Taylor was on hand at the far post to knock the ball away at the expense of a corner. City's first corner, taken by Scott Hiley, was driven beyond Roy Carter on the penalty spot, while Exwards found himself in a promising position only to hear the whistle sound for a push earlier in the move, by Brendon O'Connell. At the other end, former Exeter player Dave Harle curled in a fine cross which allowed big Dave Shearer to power in a header which flew a yard wide. Paul Olsson was guilty of a couple of bad fouls in midfield and Shaun Taylor of a rough challenge on Andy Flounders. So it seemed rough justice on fullback Steve Harrower when he was booked for an innocu- ous body check on Hill. Scunthorpe screamed for a penalty shortly before half- time when Hill's cross struck Harrower but the referee felt it was a case of ball to hand. Gwinnett then did well to beat away a powerful drive from Shearer. Exeter enjoyed a promising start to the second half, creating a couple of openings, but Darren Rowbottom blazed wide from 20 yards and Edwards dragged a shot wide when very well placed. So it was somewhat surprising when lack-lustre Scunthorpe went ahead after 59 minutes, Shearer getting clear and firing home a fine low shot. Surprisingly, Scunthorpe seemed content to sit back on their lead and what should have been a showpiece match degenerated into tame a midfield stalemate. Then, in a rare Exeter attack, Edwards struck two minutes from time with that controversial leveller, firing home on the turn from 10 yards.

Scunthorpe: Green, Money, Long- den, K. Taylor, Lister, Nicol, Brown, Harle, Shearer, Flounders, Hill. Subs: Dixon and Johnson).

Exeter: Gwinnett, Harrower, Viney. Carter, Taylor, Cooper, Hiley, Olsson, Edwards, O'Connell, Rowbottom. Subs: Watson and Batty.