Exeter City 2 Stockport County 2.

Saturday 13 February 1993.

Match Report by David Hutchings

Exeter City 2
Tonge, McIntyre
Stockport Co 2
Paul A Williams, Beaumont

MANAGER Alan Ball's makeshift young team showed great character to twice come back against promotion hopefuls Stockport.

With five first team regulars out through injury and suspension, the manager had to rely on a mix and match team of youngsters and senior pros. And it was 20-year old loan striker Jim McIntyre who grabbed the vital equaliser just three minutes from time on his Exeter debut to prevent City going down to another home defeat. It was no more than City deserved after a frantic final 20 minutes when they created a number of chances which they seemed destined not to convert. The opening stages had a familiar feel about them. With just four minutes on the clock Stockport won a free kick on the left. Twice the ball was cleared only to be pumped back in. Then Paul A Williams got up well, pulled the ball down and fired into the corner of the net from just 8-yards out. The goal seemed to spur City into action. They won two quick corners. Then after 17 minutes they were awarded a free kick mid-way in Stockport's half. Kevin Bond - making a one-match comeback to help Ball-floated the ball into the box. Toby Redwood knocked it back to Ronnie Jepson. His shot was blocked but it came to young Alan Tonge on the edge of the box and he rifled home a superb strike which gave the 'keeper no chance. Stockport relied heavily on the hit-and-hope long ball. Exeter couldn't compete on their terms but when they played it on the floor they were by far the better team with Danny Bailey, Scott Hi- ley and John Hodge combining well down the left. But County took the lead again in the 34th minute. The ball was played into the box. Williams headed down and Chris Beaumont, with his back to goal, executed an overhead Kick which caught Kevin Miller off his line. City could have gone further behind in the second half but Miller twice made good saves from Beaumont. Ball brought Craig Taylor on for Andy Harris after 51 minutes and Eamonn Dolan for the injured Bailey 15 minutes later. And they helped City to an excellent finish. But it looked as if they would not convert their chances until Jepson headed down Miller's long clearance to McIntyre who took his goal well coolly slotting past the 'keeper.

Exeter City 
Miller. Hiley. Cooper. Bailey. Bond. Redwood. Harris.Tonge. Jepson.McIntyre. Hodge
Subs: Taylor (for Harris, 51 mins), Dolan (for Bailey, 66).

Stockport County:
Edwards; Todd, Paul Williams, Frain, Miller, Bill Williams, Gannon, Ward, Paul A Williams, Beau- mont, Preece.

Referee: John Carter (Christchurch)

Attendance: 2,795.

Bookings:
(Stockport). Frain, Preece