Stevenage 0-1 Exeter

Peter Taylor's Stevenage Borough side fought tooth and nail but were unable to stop Exeter City from claiming all the points at Broadhall Way.

The Grecians claimed a ninth minute lead when striker Steve Basham drilled his left-footed effort into the bottom-right corner from 18 yards out.

Stevenage had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 33rd minute but Steve Morison's shot from six yards was well blocked by Andy Marriott.

There was loads of drama late on when Tommy Smith was adjudged to have fouled Exeter's Matthew Taylor in the box.

Stevenage duo Alan Julian and Ashley Westwood subsequently received yellow cards for dissent and Richard Logan stepped up to take the resulting spot kick.

However, the pressure was clearly too much for him to deal with as his effort was parried by Julian in goal.

Stevenage bookings: Wilson 35, Cole 54, Smith 71, Julian 72, Westwood 72, Henry 73, Morison 75.

Exeter bookings: Logan 14, Edwards 77.

Ref: C Mohareb.

Att: 2146.