14th December 1988
Football League (Sherpa Van) Trophy Group Stage

Exeter City 1 Bristol R 1

Attendance 1609

The previous results meant that Exeter had to win by two clear goals if they were to progress at Bristol Rovers expense. Terry Cooper the new manager at Exeter. Darran Rowbotham gave City a 36th minute lead, Nigel Martin had kept Rovers in the competition with a faeries of saves before David Mehew equalised in the last minute to send the Rovers fans happily home.