Clinical City triumph over County

Exeter City returned to winning ways in League One with a 3-1 victory over Notts County.

Goals from Jamie Cureton, Richard Logan gave City an early two goal advantage before Lee Hughes halved the deficit just before half time. Ryan Harley added a third for the Grecians in the second half with an excellent solo effort.

Notts County manager Paul Ince was taking charge of his first away game and side made an impressive start the game almost taking the lead from a corner but Scott Golbourne kept County at bay twice blocking close range efforts on the goal line.

It was City who took the lead on 18 minutes with their first meaningful attack. Steve Tully latched onto Troy Archibald-Henville`s well judged through ball and whipped in a dangerous cross that Rob Burch spilled at the feet of the on rushing Cureton who neatly rounded the keeper to smash in the opener.

A little over ten minutes later and City doubled their lead. Golbourne`s low centre was skilfully flicked past Burch by Logan`s with a first time shot. The striker`s seventh league goal of the season.

County went in search of a reply, Ben Davies` run and shot clipped the bar and Hughes headed over when unmarked from a corner.

But from the next set piece Hughes made no mistake when again he went unchallenged. A free kick was swung in from the left and Hughes powered his header past Artur Krysiak as City`s half time lead was cut to 2-1.

County continued to chase the game after the break but City, with captain Matt Taylor back at the heart of their defence looked an improved defensive unit as they contained their opponents with concise rearguard play.

With a quarter of the game to go City put game beyond Notts County. Harley intercepted a loose pass and broke clear of County`s backline, as defenders came charging back Harley checked inside but instead on squaring the ball to the unmarked Logan he shifted the ball back onto his left foot and drilled an exquisite shot across Burch in off the far post.

County`s challenge was fading and Liam Sercombe almost added a fourth goal late on, picking the ball up in his own half and running through several weary tackles before firing over the bar.

The win moves City back into the top half of the table as Notts County drop into the relegation places.

City: Krysiak, Archibald-Henville, Taylor, Duffy, Tully, Golbourne, Dunne (Cozic), Sercombe, Harley, Cureton (Stewart), Logan

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