Exeter City 1 Woking 2

Last updated : 13 April 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Exeter's hopes of a place in the play-offs suffered a major dent with a home defeat against lively Woking.

Exeter took an early lead through Gareth Sheldon but they saw playmaker James Coppinger sent off before Woking grabbed three points with two second-half goals.

Exeter started brightly and striker Les Afful thumped a long-range shot past the post in the opening seconds.

It took Exeter just four minutes to open the scoring. Sheldon picked up a loose ball 40 yards from goal and, as Woking backed off, he darted into the box and struck a fine low shot into the bottom corner.

It could have been two a minute later. Glenn Cronin linked well with Coppinger and Afful just failed to finish off a fine move when he shot wide from close range.

Woking's best early moment came when Amos Foyewa forced James Bittner to save well with a low ten-yard drive.

Exeter continued to create chances and Cronin finished a neat move with a shot that flew just past the post.

On the stroke of half-time Woking almost pulled level when Michael Johnson's close-range shot was headed off the line by Scott Hiley.

After the break Raphael Nade went close for the Cards with a glancing header which flew just wide. Lucas Cornwall then headed into the side-netting as the visitors probed, and Foyewa could only find the arms of the goalkeeper after he was put clean through.

Ten minutes after the restart Woking deservedly pulled level when Cornwall ran on to a long clearance and fired a shot past Bittner from the edge of the box.

Things got worse for Exeter when Coppinger was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Foyewa.

Woking struck the winner with ten minutes left when Nade's cross was tapped home at close range by Foyewa. It was no more than they deserved.