Exeter City advance in JPT

Harley and Nicholls secure City's place in second round

GOALS FROM Ryan Harley and Alex Nicholls secured Exeter City their place in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at St James Park.

Jordan Moore-Taylor made his return to the starting line-up to complete his return from a lengthy injury lay-off, while Craig Woodman, Alex Nicholls, Manny Oyeleke and Tom McCready also came into the Exeter City side. Portsmouth, meanwhile, fielded a very young eleven, with their local press insisting that the club would be happy to take the competition fine for making too many changes from their weekend league match.

Danny Butterfield had two early half-chances in the opening ten minutes, first firing over from Lee Holmes' pass from the right, before Calvin Davies charged out to block his second effort just on the edge of the Portsmouth penalty area. After Tom McCready's shot was saved by Paul Jones.

But the best effort of the half came just before the break, as Portsmouth's Conor Chaplin curling a free-kick onto the bar - Chaplin had had an earlier effort saved by Olejnik after he was played through by Adam May.

HALF-TIME: EXETER CITY 0-0 PORTSMOUTH