EXETER City came from a goal down to beat a battling Harriers side in an entertaining game at Aggborough Stadium this afternoon.
Stuart Watkiss named an unchanged starting eleven from the side that drew 1-1 with Hereford last weekend, though Iyseden Christie and Chris McHale were handed places on the bench.
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HESLOP: First ever goal for Harriers |
The hosts were on the attack again just a few minutes later and Taiwo Atieno was unlucky not to see his guided header fly past Jones after a decent cross from Hatswell - the ball just flying past the upright.
Exeter were a threat from set pieces all afternoon, and Tony Scully's cross with 15 minutes was almost greeted with a goal after Andy Taylor rose well inside the penalty area to head just over.
Watkiss' men were dealt a blow shortly after the half-hour mark after midfielder Simon Russell was forced to leave the field with a suspected dislocated wrist. He was replaced by Christie, who immediately made his presence known after his dangerous cross into the box almost dipped past Jones into the top corner.
Skipper Mark Jackson came agonisingly close to giving his side the lead just five minutes before the break, his header from Sheldon's corner was hacked off the line and away for a corner by the Grecians' defence.
Just seconds later, ex-City man Gareth Sheldon almost bagged himself a goal against his former club after he shot a low drive from 30 yards that Jones barely managed to tip past the post.
Half time: Harriers 0-0 Exeter
With less than 60 seconds gone in the second period the visitors almost found themselves in front in bizarre circumstances; Billy Jones' cross took a wicked deflection of Martin O'Connor and almost sailed into the back of the net - the Harriers defence eventually able to scramble the ball to safety.
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THOMPSON: Late chance against Exeter |
Some good play between Atieno and Hatswell almost put Harriers further in front just six minutes later, Hatswell's shot after a neat move down the left side was caught high by the hands of Jones.
Just before the hour mark Harriers let their lead slip, a long throw by Challinor was met by the head of Chris TODD who hit a neat header beat Lewis at the far post.
Challinor was again in the thick of the action ten minutes later, he was left un-marked in the box after latching onto Scully's diagonal ball. With just the 'keeper to beat Challinor fired a strong effort towards goal that Daniel Lewis did well to keep out.
Substitute Lee Thompson got a good effort in on goal with less than 15 minutes remaining - he did well to wait for the bounce of the ball before firing a low volley towards goal the skipped just wide.
It was City who stuck that vital next goal though as Harriers were caught viciously on the counter-attack less than a minute later. With plenty of men forward, the ball was levelled up to SCULLY outside the box who beat the covering Terry Fleming comfortably before firing an exquisite shot past the outstretched and helpless Lewis.
The evergreen Steve Flack almost added a third with a carbon copy of Scully's effort, though this time Lewis was wise to it and powerfully fisted the ball away.
Full time: Harriers 1-2 Exeter
THE TEAMS:
Harriers: Lewis, Mullins, Jackson, Burgess, Hatswell, Heslop, Fleming, O'Connor (Wilson 55), Russell (Christie 33), Sheldon (Thompson 57), Atieno.
Subs Not Used: Danby, McHale.
Exeter: Paul Jones, Woodards, Gaia, Todd, Billy Jones, Scully, Taylor (Moxey 70), Cronin, Challinor, Farrell (Mackie 89), Phillips (Flack 76).
Subs Not Used: Rice, Sawyer.
Attendance: 1,869 (403 away fans)
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Sponsors MoM: Wayne Hatswell
