Ben wins it for City

On his Football League debut, Exeter City striker Ben Watson struck a timely blow for the Grecians’ misfiring forwards to earn a first home win of the season.

At a soggy St James Park, Accrington took the lead when an eleventh minute counter attack enabled Jamie Clarke to cut in from the left and shoot smartly home.

After a fairly scrappy half, with City looking unusually disjointed, Matt Gill levelled seconds before the break. Dean Moxey’s throw was flicked on by Richard Logan, and Gill stabbed home at the far post.

City were better in the second period, and seemed to benefit from the introduction on the hour of Liam Sercombe in place of Richard Logan as Paul Tisdale’s side switched to a 4-4-2 formation and tested Accy out wide.

Watson’s winner came midway through the half, as he ran on to Ryan Harley’s slide-rule ball to tuck away a one-on-one with some aplomb.

Although the nerves were jangling, City held on without undue alarm for the first League win at St James Park since the day the Grecians were relegated from the Football League.