8th August 2015

Despite coming from two goals down, Town returned home empty handed after a 3-2 defeat to Exeter City.

Manager Paul Sturrock named nine of his summer recruits in the starting eleven with Chris Weale getting the nod in goal ahead of former Exeter keeper Artur Krysiak.

Connor Roberts who joined the Glovers just before the team sheets were handed in started at right-back with Shaun Jeffers and Mark Beck leading the line for the Glovers.

Backed by a following of just under 1,300 Town started the game brightly and forced the first corner of the match after just two minutes. Mark Beck met Dolan’s corner at the back post. His header was met on the turn by skipper Ryan Dickson, but his effort was bundled away by the Exeter defence.

Just before the ten-minute mark the home side could and should have opened the scoring when Nichols’ fluffed his shot from close range, when he had the goal at his mercy.

On 30 minutes the home side did take the lead when referee Gavin Ward awarded a penalty after Nichols was fouled by Roberts in the area.

Nichols dusted himself down to confidently send Weale the wrong way to make the score 1-0.

Ten minutes later the Grecians made it 2-0 when Wheeler latched on to a smart pass by David Noble to beat the on rushing Weale to the ball and toe poke home from just inside the area.

At half time Town made one change with Harry Cornick replacing Wes Fogden.

Town pulled a goal back within just one minute of the second half starting. A long throw on the left into the box by Nathan Smith was met by Beck, who flicked the ball into the path of Cornick. The substitute turned in the area to fire home, much to the delight of the 1,247 travelling fans.

The Glovers drew level just after the hour mark when Dolan scored from the penalty spot.

Dickson’s jinking run on the right saw him get into the Exeter box only to be fouled for a certain penalty.

Town were forced into a change with 20 minutes to go when Alex Lacey had to be replaced by Jakub Sokolik because of a injury.

The home side retook the lead with just under 10 minutes to play when substitute Hoskins beat the offside trap to chip the ball over Weale into the empty net to secure the three points for the home side.