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Exeter City 1 - 1 Droylsden

9/ 4/2008

A VALUABLE away point was secured as the Bloods had to work very hard against a good footballing Exeter team.

As expected, the Grecians enjoyed the majority of possession and created good chances, but their wastefulness in front of goal – combined with an almost unbeatable night for Paul Phillips – meant that all three points looked like they might be coming back up the M5.

Droylsden made the early running with Robbie Talbot and Steve Halford going close, but it was not long before Phillips was stretched by Wayne Carlisle.

Phillips held Rob Edwards’ effort and Richard Logan was unable to convert Adam Stansfield’s cross before Droylsden missed a great chance to take the lead, Terry Fearns volleying past Andy Marriott’s left-hand upright.

At the other end, Phillips was out quickly to thwart Stansfield who saw another effort blocked by Greg Strong, while Steve Halford headed over from Chris Denham’s corner for the Bloods.

Four minutes after the restart though, Talbot stunned St James’ Park by scoring from the tightest of angles after a smart turn had taken him past a defender and Marriott before he turned the ball back towards goal where it found the far corner.

Richard Logan fired over for the hosts before Matthew Gill was blocked by Greg Strong and saw an another strike saved by Phillips.

Both sides had efforts miss the target, Talbot twice for Droylsden with Edwards and Carlisle likewise for Exeter who then saw Phillips deny Stansfield.

Edwards’ shot was also too high before Exeter struck level on 75 minutes when Halford pulled back Steve Basham inside the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Logan made no mistake this time, Phillips guessing the wrong way.

Exeter went for the winner as Phillips fielded Ben Watson’s looping header, Logan shot straight at the keeper from eight yards and Phillips again denied Watson.

However, it was Droylsden who almost had the final say when Danny Ellis got behind the home defence, but nobody was on hand to convert his cut-back.

Attendance: 3,071