Exeter City’s wasteful finishing cost them in a 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the Central League.
The result was a little flattering for the Pilgrims, who had very little quality going forward but they got the goal in a rare chance for the home side.
City were much more fluid in their play and although they lacked quality in the first half, they stepped up a gear in the second period.
Donovan Wilson impressed for the visitors as did Ben Seymour when he came on as a second half substitute.
But it was Argyle’s Alex Fletcher that netter the only goal of the game, that came in the 52 minute after some good work by Luke Jephcott on the right wing.
He crossed the ball to an Argyle trialist, who is believed to be former Mansfield Town winger Paul Anderson, and he played the ball to Fletcher who sent the ball past James Hamon.
Lloyd Jones, who is yet to make an appearance for the Pilgrims since signing for them on loan from Luton Town last month, also had a solid afternoon.
The game ended on a sour note for the Grecians as James Dodd was forced off with injury, walking away from the pitch on crutches.
City will feel hard done by to leave Home Park without anything to show after a second half that had plenty of huff and puff.
Full-time: 1-0
That is it. Game over. Plymouth Argyle stay top of the Central League as Alex Fletcher’s goal proves to be the difference for the home side.
On crutches
James Dodd is on crutches after that injury and has been given a clap by the Argyle fans after walking past where they are located in the Lyndhurst Stand.
Off injured
James Dodd limps off the pitch with an injury, moments after City used their last outfield substitution.
Nearly a second
Randell takes a free-kick in a good position but it hits the post and is cleared away. So close to a second for the Pilgrims. The resulting corner is sent in but headed away.
Corner chance
Argyle win a corner and it is Adam Randell that sends the ball into the box but it is headed away.
Another away chance
Macey fails to catch Wilson’s shot and the ball rebounds straight to Seymour, who hit the effort wide.
All City now
City are the better team now and they should have levelled through James Dodd after a superb cross from Joe Belsten. Dodd should have AT LEAST hit the target with a diving header but luckily for the Argyle defence it went wide. Argyle are having no attacking play right now.
Another Seymour chance
Seymour looks lively and was just sent through on goal again but Macey made the block at a one-on-one scenario and the ball came out for a corner, which Argyle cleared.
Exeter pressure
Seymour wins a corner off of Wootton. Jay crosses to Hartridge but Riley gets his head in the way and the ball goes out for another City corner. Jay sends it in again and Macey gets a good touch to the ball to get it away. Jay is dangerous from his corners.
Defensive cover
Lloyd Jones tackles Matt Jay, he got the ball but Jay’s theatrics won Exeter the free-kick. Jay sends it in but Wootton heads it away.
GOAL - FLETCHER (52)
Alex Fletcher gives Argyle the lead. Luke Jephcott had the ball on the right, he crossed it to the trialist, who played it back first time to Fletcher who slot past James Hamon. Argyle 1-0 Exeter.
Half a chance
Harry Kite is the man that was replaced by Dodd. The trialist sent the ball to Luke Jephcott out on the right, Jephcott crossed the ball into a dangerous place but it bypassed everyone.
Headed away
Lloyd Jones makes a good clearance after a dangerous from Charlie Lawrence. City have started with a little more pressure but Macey has not been called into action yet.
Half-time
Well that was a very uneventful first half, with little quality up front for either team. Still 0-0.
A waste
Argyle win a corner after good work from Threlkeld, he then takes the corner and it went straight to the feet of Matt Jay, the first man.
Given away
Scott Wootton has had an awful game so far, he just gave the ball away again. This time it was to Joel Randall who race in towards Macey froma diagonal angle but his shot was sent over the ball. That sums up the game so far. Still 0-0.
Argyle's trialist revealed?
The guy who we believe is Argyle’s trialist is Paul Anderson and he has had plenty to say after being released by Mansfield Town. Have a read here.
Well over the bar
Luke Jephcott sends a ball in from the right but Alex Hartridge heads it away, the ball falls to Dan Rooney but his shot was well over.
Easy save
Matt Jay is the latest player of City to have a shot but it went straight at Macey. It has not been a great game so far, neither team are creating much in an attacking sense.
Almost a chance
Donovan Wilson sold Scott Wootton a dummy there, got clear of the experienced defender but his cross was off target and went out for a throw.
Not much to report
Neither team are testing the keeper at the moment. Aaron Martin looks very calm and composed on the ball and is thwarting any Argyle chances.
