Match report courtesy of the Western Morning News. Please visit their website at www.thisisdevon.co.uk for match reports from the region and follow these links for interviews with Paul Tisdale and Dean Moxey relfecting on the weekends results. Thanks to Stuart James.

Three goals away from home and another three points, yet there were few smiles on the faces of Exeter City's players and management come full-time at Droylsden on Saturday. Why? Because the Grecians knew they should have made much easier work in seeing off the sprightly Manchester- based team.The Devon side's 3-2 win may have taken them back to the top of the Blue Square Premier table, but it was a strange game in that City, who never really got out of third gear, could have won by considerably more, yet Droylsden had the chances to have taken something from the match themselves, with the Grecians uncharacteristically sloppy in their play.

As it was, Dean Moxey's brace and another goal from the bench for Lee Elam was what City had to show for their efforts, with Droylsden hitting back with two stupendous strikes from midfielders Jody Banim and Jamie McGuire. The latter was a consolation deep into injury time seconds after Elam had made it 3-1 to Exeter.

The frown on the face of Exeter manager Paul Tisdale told its own story. He knew City should have added to their triple whammy. Then again, if all he has to worry about is Exeter not playing well and winning, having scored three goals, then that bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

Frankie Artus's illness and foot injury meant he failed to take his place in the starting XI, but there was a welcome recall for Matt Gill, City's new captain, who took over the armband from George Friend. He was partnered by Jon Richardson, who again excelled in his unfamiliar role by being solid rather than spectacular, providing the perfect shield for City's three-man defence and doing all the simple things right.

Up front, Tisdale persisted with Jamie Mackie, Richard Logan and Adam Stansfield, but it was Moxey for whom the early chances fell. He failed to get his shot away when Mackie picked him out with a pull-back following a surging run, but he learnt his lesson as, with his next chance, he found the back of the net. Stansfield laid the ball into the path of Steve Tully wide on the right and he found Moxey at the back post with an excellent cross.

It seemed as if Exeter thought they had the game won from that point, with sloppiness creeping into their play. Terry Fearns shot high with one effort before Friend made a superb goal-line clearance to preserve Exeter's lead as Droylsden broke quickly and Fearns clipped the ball past Andy Marriott.

It was no fluke, either. Fearns again got the ball over Marriott minutes later, but Friend again got back to clear the ball just as it was about to cross the line with an even better clearance. Before that, though, Mackie had seen a goal chalked off for a clear offside, while Logan missed a great chance to make it 2-0 after more good work by the industrious Mackie.

Droylsden were certainly giving it a go and Chris Denham benefited from a slip by Friend to shoot at goal, but Marriott saved. Then Exeter missed their best chance to make it 2-0 when Moxey won possession and found Logan. His lay off fell to Mackie, who was taken out on the edge of the box, while Moxey too collided with the goalkeeper. With both players grounded, Stansfield's shot hit the back of Moxey before play was stopped for treatment to both players. Exeter really should have scored before anyone received any treatment.

The interval was no doubt spent with Tisdale ironing out a few things, but whatever warning he gave was not heeded, as the Grecians soon found themselves pegged back as Banim picked up a loose ball some 30 yards out and unleashed a stunning volley that flew over the head of Marriott and dropped just under the crossbar.

To their credit, City hit right back as Mackie twisted and turned his way down the right before delivering a low cross that Logan let go and the unmarked Moxey hammered past Paul Phillips from 12 yards.

Tisdale had seen enough, though, and introduced Steve Basham with 30 minutes to go, and he looked impressive with some lovely touches. In fact, he almost benefited from a misunderstanding between Phillips and Colin Cryan, who left the ball for each other, but Basham could only poke the ball wide of the empty net.

Gavin Salmon headed a Banim free- kick wide as City again worryingly dealt with a routine free-kick into their box, before Mackie forced Phillips into saving with a great first-time effort from Basham's skilful lay-off. However, Exeter got the third goal in the final minute as Gill's corner was headed goalwards by Basham and Elam got his shoulder in the way to claim the final touch.

It was pretty much game, set and match, although Droylsden hit right back with their second stunning strike of the game. McGuire tried his luck from distance and there was little Marriott could do as the ball crashed against the underside of the crossbar before crossing the line.