17th February 1973
Football League
Exeter 0-1 Southport
Attendance 10122

The teams

EXETER Wilson: Stacey, Blain, Parker, Giles, Balson, Scott, Binney, Plumb, Morrin." Gibson,
Sub: Wingate,

SOUTHPORT: Gregson; Sibbard, Ryder. McPhee, Dubleavey, Russell, Hughes, Lloyd, Fryart, Provan, Lee.
Sub: Moore.

Referee: F. E. Bessett (Swindon).

EXETER CITY have lost their unbeaten home record. This afternoon they were beaten for the first time in a Division IV match at St. James's Park this season when they went down 1-0 to the league leaders, Southport. But Exeter must be kicking themselves tonight because they missed chances, and Southport scored their winner in the 29th minute in front of a crowd of 10,122.

Just before the kick-off, Exeter's manager, John New- man, was presented with his gallon of whisky after being voted Manager of the Month for January. He received a tremendous ovation from the big crowd. Exeter almost went ahead in the opening minute. A long ball down the middle was laid off by Plumb, and Binney hit a fine shot that was brilliantly saved by Gregson. Already there were signs of Southport's danger in breaking quickly, and Provan forced a corner, which was wasted. Twice Southport were offside as they tried to break and twice Exeter played the ball back to Wilson. When the City moved forward Plumb fed Scott on the right. Scott crossed well, but Parker, moving forward, headed too high.
Back came Southport with a corner, and Wilson moved well off his line to take the ball. Exeter had a half-chance in the 15th minute. Scott moved inside and tried a shot that was blocked; the ball rebounded to Parker, who had to hurry his shot, which was off target. Exeter were looking the better side in the opening stages and they almost scored in the 19th minute. Gibson, out on the left, hit a long ball towards the far post. It went through to Scott, and he put in a cross-shot Gregson did well to save. A City move down the left forced a corner and when the bouncing ball fell to Plumb, ne hooked his shot over the top. Then Gibson, creating space down the left, fed Plumb. He pushed the ball inside to Morrin, who forced Gregson to make another fine save. Stacey won the ball and used Scott on the right. Scott played a precision ball into the middle and Binney headed over! the top. But it was Southport who went ahead in the 29th minute and it was against the run of play. A City move broke down, & Fryatt was fed on the left. He played a ball into the middle. and LEE, on the edge of the area, who beat Wilson with a strong, rising shot. Gregson was having an outstanding game for Southport." and he pulled out another tremendous save from Morrin as Exeter continued to do most of the pressing. Southport were dangerous on the break, and Lloyd hit the post with a snap shot.

Half-time: City 0-1 Southport 

Exeter needed a quick goal to come back to terms. They had more of the first-half, and should have equalised in the 49th minute. Stacey fed Binney down the right. Binney did well to cut inside and cross for Parker, who shot wide from close range. It should have been the equaliser, but Exeter had not put enough pressure on Gregson with searching crosses. Plumb showed his skill to cut inside his man, but he failed to hit a clean shot and his effort went wide. Exeter, were now still doing most of the pressing, badly needed a goal. They had missed their chances in the first half and were now up against it as Southport sensed another away victory. City were not convincing enough in front of goal and at this stage their unbeaten home record looked in jeopardy. The game was held up when Stacey needed treatment from the city's new trainer, Jack Edwards. Southport were still looking dangerous on the break and in the 75th minute Exeter brought on substitute John Wingate for Scott. There were cries for an Exeter penalty when Binney appeared to be charged over in the area, but play went on. Then a long clearance gave Plumb chance inside the a Southport area, but he pulled his left footed shot well wide when in a scoring position. Exeter were unlucky not to equalise in the 80th minute. Stacey made a fine run down the right; he crossed to the far post where Wingate headed the ball back and Binney who looked certain to have scored until the ball was somehow scrambled off the line following a fine one handed save by Gregson. Exeter were throwing more players forward in a bid to save their unbeaten home record. They were awarded a free-kick on the left when Binney was brought down, but the set-piece was wasted. Wingate had the ball in the net in the 85th minute following Plumb's pass, but the did not count because of offside.  Another attempt by Wingate was stopped as Gregson down to save the low, swinging shot near the foot of the post.