Exeter City 2 Lincoln City 0.

Tuesday 18 March 2003

Referee: P Armstrong

Att: 4009

BBC match report –

Two first half goals were enough to give struggling Exeter a vital victory against promotion-chasing Lincoln.

The Grecians took the lead midway through the first half as Chris Todd (photo) met Carl Pettefer's corner and James Coppinger thumped the ball home from close range.

Seven minutes before half-time City made it two as Gareth Sheldon controlled a long pass from Santos Gaia, sprinted into the box and struck a low shot into the bottom corner.

Lincoln rarely threatened and hardly looked like a side chasing promotion, although Mark Bailey forced Exeter keeper Kevin Miller into making his only real save of the game in the second half with a free-kick from the edge of the box.

In the closing stages Sean Devine went close for Exeter when his effort from a tight angle flashed narrowly wide.

Exeter were good value for the win which stretched the club's unbeaten run to five games under new manger Gary Peters.

Exeter: Miller, Power, Gaia, Todd, Hiley, Pettefer, Ampadu, Walker, Coppinger, Devine, Sheldon. Subs: Fraser, Curran, Roscoe, Breslan, Cronin.

Lincoln City: Marriott, Bailey, Futcher, Morgan, Weaver, Bimson, Butcher, Sedgemore, Willis, Webb, Pearce. Subs: Cornelly, Bloomer, Mayo, Smith, Yeo.

Referee: P Taylor.