Exeter and Cheltenham play out forgettable goalless draw

Exeter and Cheltenham cancelled each other out in a dour goalless draw at St James Park.

With Exeter starting the game in fifth and Cheltenham one place and a point behind their hosts, a good game of football was expected. But on a chilly afternoon in Devon, chances were very much at a premium.

It took until the 20th minute for the first chance of the game. A long Jonny Maxted goal kick went straight through to Exeter striker Ryan Bowman, but he dragged his shot wide from 18 yards.

Jack Sparkes then stung the palms of Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Flinders with a rasping shot from distance, but the away side offered little to nothing as an attacking force in those first 45 minutes.

It took the Robins until the 56th minute to register a shot on target and that was an effort from Sean Long that was charged down by an Exeter defender before being gathered by Maxted.

Exeter substitute Lee Martin saw a low cross deflect into the arms of Flinders and Randell Williams was off target after cutting in off the right wing, while Cheltenham seemed happy to settle for a point.