Exeter keep promotion hopes on track with win

Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2018 by PA

Exeter kept the pressure on Wycombe in the race for automatic promotion from League Two with a nervy 2-1 win over Chesterfield at St James’ Park.

City created the best of the early chances with Jayden Stockley seeing his shot saved by Aaron Ramsdale, although Kristian Dennis screwed a decent chance wide for Chesterfield.

The Grecians continued to press and they got the goal their play deserved on 39 minutes when Jake Taylor stood a cross up to the back post where Stockley powered in a header from six yards for his 22nd goal of the season.

Dennis fired tamely at Christy Pym early in the second half before the Spireites came close to an equaliser when Exeter’s Lloyd James headed against his own post and George Smith was denied by a superb reflex stop by Pym on the rebound.

Pierce Sweeney forced a smart stop from Ramsey with a fierce free-kick in the 74th minute for Exeter and from the resulting corner, Alex Whitmore turned into his own goal from Hiram Boateng’s cross to double the Grecians’ lead.

Chesterfield’s Andy Kellett pulled one back in the 84th minute after good work by Joe Rowley but Exeter held firm to pick up an important three points.