It was a good performance from the Shots at the sunny Exeter Sports Arena, but a very disappointing result. The visitors matched the weather with a bright start and dominated a first half in which Billy Wilson struck from 25 yards - the ball spun through the keepers' legs but caught his heel, deflecting away for a corner. Russ Benham beat his marker repeatedly and delivered several crosses but the front pair were unable to convert. Josh Huggins, through one-on-one chose to pass rather then test the home shot stopper, James Powell brought a fingertip save with a 25 yard thunderbolt; and Peter Hibbert had a headed goal disallowed for offside on 40 minutes.
The second half saw increased pressure from Exeter and twice Shots cleared when a goal seemed certain. On the hour a 35 yard shot from Russ Benham skimmed the crossbar, but Exeter defended deeper, limiting Shots to wide runs from Lewis Phillips and Russ Benham. The absence of goalscorers was to prove costly as the visitors led the goal opportunity table by a clear margin .On 89 minutes Shots were awarded a free kick on the halfway line and threw caution to the wind with only Lucas Pickett and goalkeeper Will Dukes behind the final third. The ball dropped short and a headed clearance was quickly despatched to the unmarked Exeter left midfielder whose unchallenged run and shot drew Will Dukes to make a fine diving save. The ball deflected agonisingly to the lone Exeter striker who stroked it into an empty net. The goal may have raised questions about the application of the offside law but the referee awarded the goal.
Shots: Will Dukes; James Powell, Peter Hibbert, Lucas Pickett, Stacey Thripp; Russ Benham, Josh Huggins, Billy Wilson, Lewis Phillips; Ecko Elliott (Ross Baker 80), Adam Harrison (Alex Ritson 80)