U's can lose away after all

United's unbeaten away record fell at St James Park yesterday as Exeter City ran out 3-2 winners. City went ahead in the first minute when Sean McCarthy pounced on an Ian McCaldon error following a poor back-pass by Phil Bolland. Jamie Brookes equalised in the 11th minute with an excellent lob over the stranded Matt Gregg who was making his Exeter debut on loan from Crystal Palace. United's defence then left Steve Flack unmarked at the far post to head home after quarter of an hour, although there was some dispute as to whether the ball had actually crossed the line. In the last minute of the first half another Bolland error saw him flail wildly at an innocuous cross leaving Geoff Breslan with a simple tap-in. Martin Thomas pulled one back for United from the penalty spot after Manny Omoyinmi was adjudged to have been fouled after 69 minutes.

The only change from the line-up which drew at Luton saw Brookes start in place of the suspended Andy Scott. Omoyinmi was a second half substitute for the injured Dave Savage and Jon Richardson came on as a substitute for Bolland, whose torrid day also ended in injury. The referee, Trevor Parkes, booked Bolland, Guyett and Omoyinmi, as well as five home players. The attendance was 3,268. A match report has been posted here.

United drop one place, to 13th, whilst Exeter go up one place, to second from bottom. Carlisle now prop up the league, having lost 2-0 at Cheltenham. United's opponents on Tuesday are Macclesfield Town, who are now 7th from bottom without an away win, although they will be pleased with their 0-0 draw at home to Hull yesterday.

Elsewhere Lee Nogan put York ahead at home to Luton, but fatboy's mob went on to win 2-1 to lift themselves up to third. Paul Wanless scored Cambridge's second as they beat Cardiff 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium but more impressive was Andy Thomson's hat-trick in the last twenty minutes as QPR trounced Port Vale 4-1 at Loftus Road. In the Conference Simon Weatherstone scored Boston's opener as they won 2-1 at Chester.