Accrington Stanley 1 Exeter City 2.
Saturday 18 October 2003.

Referee: S Brand

Att: 2342

BBC match report –

Sean Devine scored his sixth goal in four games to put Exeter on course for a 2-1 away victory which ended Accrington's 10-match unbeaten run.

The former Wycombe striker netted the opener in the 20th minute, knocking the ball high into the net as he latched on to a cross by Gareth Sheldon.

Exeter wrapped up the points on the hour-mark when Sheldon gained reward for his earlier creativity, this time heading home from close range.

The Grecians were full value for their win and the margin could have been even greater but for some fine saves by Accrington goalkeeper John Kennedy.

In the second half, just before Sheldon's second goal for Exeter, Steve Halford missed a fine chance to equalise when he headed wide, but Stanley did bag a consolation goal.

It came in the 71st minute as Paul Mullin converted a fine pass from Prendergast, but the hosts were always going to struggle once Peter Cavanagh's was dismissed for two bookable offences within three minutes.

Accrington Stanley: Kennedy, Cavanagh, Halford, Williams, Hollis, James, Procter, Gouck, Cook, Prendergast, Mullin.
Subs: Speare, Armstrong, Jackson, Smith, Waine.

Exeter: Rice, Hiley, Todd, Gaia, Jeannin, McConnell, Cronin, Lee, Sheldon, Flack, Devine.
Subs: Bittner, Reed, Canham, Moxey, Ampadu.

Referee: S Brand (Wirral).