Exeter City 1 Bristol Rovers 0.

Tuesday 22 October 2002.

Referee: L Cable

Att: 1613

LDV Vans Trophy Southern Section first round.

BBC match report –
A second-half strike from Gareth Sheldon was enough to give new manager Neil McNab his first win as Exeter manager against Bristol Rovers in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy.

The visitors started the brighter as Rob Quinn headed Adam Barrett's corner over the bar.

Steve Flack had Exeter's best early moment when he met James Coppinger's cross, but he headed the ball over the bar.

David Lee almost put Rovers ahead when his shot beat the goalkeeper but was cleared off the line by Scott Hiley.

Lewis Hogg then had a close-range shot superbly saved by Exeter keeper Kevin Miller - one of a string of fine saves.

Exeter won the game in the 66th minute when Coppinger's cross eluded the Rovers defence and Sheldon volleyed home from close range.

Exeter: Miller, Hiley, Gaia, Buxton, Power, Sheldon, Walker, Cronin, Pettefer, Flack, Coppinger. Subs: Fraser, Whitworth, McConnell, Thomas, Moor.

Bristol Rovers: Clarke, Arndale, Barrett, Uddin, Boxall, Hogg, Quinn, Bryant, McKeever, Coote, Lee. Subs: Howie, Gall, Gilroy, Shore, Davis.

Referee: L Cable (Surrey).