City 2 Swindon Town 0

Goals from Jonathan Forte and Jayden Stockley proved the difference as Exeter City overcame Swindon Town 2-0.

The win sees the Grecians keep pace at the top of the league, remaining second on goal difference.

City boss Matt Taylor made two changes to the side that started the draw with Yeovil, with Jonathan Forte and Lee Holmes replacing Jordan Tillson and Lee Martin – both of whom dropped to the bench.

Exeter started the first-half brightly, and some good interplay within a tight area early on down the Swindon left between Hiram Boateng and Lee Holmes created an opening for the latter, but his cross was deflected inches away from the outstretched leg of the onrushing Nicky Law.

City did well to keep the ball alive though, and created another chance having recycled possession – Holmes again crossing, but this time Jayden Stockley’s header dropped agonisingly wide of the near post.

However, the Grecians were not to be denied and the opening goal was as simple as it gets. A long ball from Pym, aimed for Stockley, eluded both the striker and his marker, but fell kindly for Jonathan Forte, whose first-time effort beat the scrambling Swindon goalkeeper Luke McCormick before hitting the inside of the post, and nestling in the back of the Swindon goal.

Forte’s sixth goal in 10 games gave City the advantage in what was a very open first-half. Swindon had a great chance to equalise after 24 minutes when Marc Richards was played in down the inside-right channel, but Pym was out quickly to close the angle and made a superb save with his feet to keep out the striker’s driven effort.

Swindon played an expansive, attacking game not often seen by visiting teams at St James Park in recent seasons, with a commitment to a possession-based system with that caused City some problems at the back. Just after the half-hour mark, Kyle Knoyle crossed from the right-hand side into a very dangerous area, but the Grecians’ defence did just about enough to prevent Richards a clear sight of goal, and Dean Moxey was able to escape with the ball for City.

Swindon’s Matty Taylor then had a chance to shoot from a free-kick that forward Scott Twine had won about 25 yards from goal, but his effort flew comfortably over Pym’s goal and into the Thatchers' Big Bank.

Just before half-time, Pym was required to deal with another set-piece – another free-kick swung in from the City right-hand side flew into a dangerous area, but a commanding punch from the Grecians’ goalkeeper prevented a potentially dangerous situation. Swindon certainly ended the first half the stronger of the two sides, and Aaron Martin was called into action moments later as his slide cut out another dangerous cross from Knoyle.

Swindon certainly ended the first half the stronger of the two sides, and Aaron Martin was called into action moments later as his slide cut out another dangerous cross from Knoyle.

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