City through to second round of the FA Cup with win at St James Park

A Jayden Stockley brace and a goal from Liam McAlinden meant Exeter City got their Emirates FA Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory against Heybridge Swifts.

Stockley bagged two quick-fire goals early in the second half to give the Grecians the lead before Samuel Bantick pulled one back for the visitors.

Liam McAlinden’s late strike then restored City’s two goal cushion and saw them progress to the next round. City named a strong side, making just two changes from the side that earned a point at Mansfield Town last weekend with Craig Woodman and Pierce Sweeney replacing Kyle Edwards and Kane Wilson in the starting line-up.

The Grecians started the game brightly and their first big chance came after four minutes. Craig Woodman lofted a long ball in to the penalty area which Stockley nodded in to the path of an unmarked Reuben Reid, but the City frontman struggled to control the knock-down and the ball drifted wide of the post.

The home side were much the better team in the opening stages and Stockley was once again involved as City created another opening. The striker leaped to meet Dean Moxey’s cross from the left but he couldn’t steer his header home.

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