City 0 Tranmere Rovers 1

James Norwood’s deflected volley in the first-half was enough for Tranmere Rovers to overcome Exeter City at St James Park, despite a spirited fightback from the Grecians in the second half.

Boss Matt Taylor made two changes from the side that conceded late in Tuesday night’s draw in Lincoln City, with Lee Holmes and Randell Williams returning to the starting XI over Aaron Martin and Ryan Bowman.

It was the visitors who started the brighter of the two sides, with a flurry of chances to shoot following Ben Pringle’s free-kick into a dangerous area after five minutes, but City defended bravely and blocked a couple of goalbound efforts to eventually recover possession.

Donovan Wilson’s game then came to a premature end as he went off injured after 26 minutes and replaced by Jonathan Forte. Tranmere would take the lead soon after as a long ball out of

Tranmere would take the lead soon after as a long ball out of defence found James Norwood, and his effort on the half-volley deflected off Pierce Sweeney and rolled agonisingly beyond Christy Pym just before the half-hour mark.

Great solo work from Forte produced an opportunity for the City man as he broke through on goal, but Emmanuel Monthe did just enough to prevent the striker getting a clear sight of goal, and restricted the home side to just a corner. It proved to be the Grecians’ best chance in a relatively turgid first 45, with both sides struggling to create anything of note beyond Norwood’s strike.

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