Exeter City 1 Bristol Rovers 0.

Tuesday 23 October 2001.

THE Exeter City hierarchy may study CVs, conduct interviews, consult experts and debate long into the night as they conclude their search for a new manager over the coming days.

But the performance they witnessed last night, as the Grecians claimed a dramatic victory over Bristol Rovers, could have as large a bearing on their final decision.

Caretaker boss John Cornforth's chances of taking over on a permanent basis took a severe hammering at the weekend when his side were rolled over 3-1 at Cheltenham.

However, City responded in such determined fashion last night that Cornforth's ability to motivate and organise his troops can no longer be called into question.

Rejuvenated winger Geoff Breslan - a cool head firmly slotted on to young shoulders - threaded home what proved the winner 11 minutes before half-time.

The Grecians stubbornly refused to buckle under a relentless physical onslaught from a Rovers outfit who were themselves desperate to halt an alarming slump in form.

The instant red card rightly shown for an ugly two-footed lunge by Mark Walters gave City just the extra boost they needed.

However, even before the former Liverpool flankman was led down the tunnel to a sickening standing ovation from away supporters, City had largely got the measure of a side widely tipped for instant promotion back into Division 2.

When he emerged for his post-match Press conference, Cornforth momentarily attempted to hide his delight before bursting into a grin as wide as the Exe Estuary.

City's temporary chief has grown as weary of discussing his employment situation as the media has of posing the inevitable question.

"I'm not going to talk about my job prospects, but I can't ask any more of the players than that," he said.

"I can't fault any one of them. Everything we've worked on in training we got right.

"When we compete with teams and earn the right to play, I don't think we've got anything to fear from anyone."

The cruel game of Russian Roulette being played with Cornforth - one ill-timed defeat and it's Goodnight Vienna - has surely gone on long enough.

And whether or not the former Wales international is now handed the reins on a permanent basis, he can reflect with pride on a record of three wins and two draws from his first six matches in Nationwide League management.

Reigning Player-of-the-Year Jamie Campbell was the most notable casualty from the catastrophe at Cheltenham, his place going to fit-again club skipper Chris Curran.

Apart from recalls for Sean McCarthy and rising midfield star Glenn Cronin, Cornforth kept faith with his weekend under-achievers.

The opening half an hour of last night's contest was peppered with niggly free kicks, misplaced passes and the odd chance for the visitors. Nippy Rovers frontman Kevin Gall saw one effort slip past the far post, another smothered by Arjan Van Heusden and Andy Thomson steered his header a yard wide from Simon Bryant's teasing corner.

But the mood among a raucous band of away supporters changed in the instant it took Christian Roberts to slip the ball into the stride of the marauding Barry McConnell.

The full-back's low strike was palmed out brilliantly by goalkeeper Scott Howie, but he was helpless to prevent Breslan from planting his shot into an unguarded net.

City held on comfortably until half-time, regrouped during the break and came out brimming with renewed confidence and vigour.

Roberts cut inside from the left touchline past two defenders before unleashing a ferocious drive that was tipped around the post by Howie.

Martin Cameron blazed wildly over and frontline partner Gall bundled the ball into the side netting as Rovers briefly escaped from their own half.

Howie produced another spell-binding block from Roberts before Walters was given his marching orders for aiming both sets of studs at the shins of McConnell.

Then McCarthy threw up his hands in disbelief when the Rovers 'keeper extended a leg to stop his close-range effort from sneaking inside the post. However, the dogged defensive determination of Curran and company eventually ensured a fruitless trip back to Exeter for ex-City boss Gerry Francis.