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.
English League Two Standings
POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Forest Green Rovers | 46 | +31 | 84 |
2 | Exeter City | 46 | +24 | 84 |
3 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | +22 | 80 |
4 | Northampton Town | 46 | +22 | 80 |
5 | Port Vale | 46 | +21 | 78 |
6 | Swindon Town | 46 | +23 | 77 |
7 | Mansfield Town | 46 | +15 | 77 |
8 | Sutton United | 46 | +16 | 76 |
9 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | +13 | 75 |
10 | Salford City | 46 | +14 | 70 |
11 | Newport County | 46 | +9 | 69 |
12 | Crawley Town | 46 | -10 | 61 |
13 | Leyton Orient | 46 | +15 | 58 |
14 | Bradford City | 46 | -2 | 58 |
15 | Colchester United | 46 | -12 | 55 |
16 | Walsall | 46 | -13 | 54 |
17 | Hartlepool United | 46 | -20 | 54 |
18 | Rochdale | 46 | -8 | 53 |
19 | Harrogate Town | 46 | -11 | 53 |
20 | Carlisle United | 46 | -23 | 53 |
21 | Stevenage | 46 | -23 | 47 |
22 | Barrow | 46 | -13 | 44 |
23 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | -29 | 38 |
24 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | -61 | 26 |
League Two News
Derby County sale: U.S. tycoon Chris Kirchner set to own club managed by Wayne Rooney
American businessman Chris Kirchner is set to be the new Derby County owner after club administrators said they had exchanged contracts.
Crawley Town sacks coach John Yems amid racism, segregation claims
Crawley Town sacked manager John Yems on Friday following allegations he used discriminatory language and conduct toward his squad.
U.S. crypto investors complete takeover of English League Two club Crawley Town
A group of U.S. cryptocurrency investors, featuring the Philadelphia 76ers' Daryl Morey, have completed a takeover of Crawley Town.
Oldham, once Premier League founding members, now face ruin and relegation to non-league
Oldham's fate lies in the hands of a Dubai-based owner, a landlord in New York and the sentiment of Britain's richest man. How did it get this way?
42-year-old scores amazing goal in League Two playoffs
Newport County advances to the League Two promotion playoff final thanks in part to this stunning goal from 42-year-old Kevin Ellison.
English football begins four-day social media boycott in response to player abuse
English football, including clubs in the Premier League and Women's Super League, has started a three-day boycott of social media.