Blue Square Premier Play-off Final
Weather at kick-off: sunny
Goals:
Exeter: Edwards 23'

Wembley Stadium began filling up from 2pm and by the time the team sheets were announced at 3.20pm the atmosphere was already noisy and heavy with nervous anticipation. The U's supporters welcomed their players onto the pitch for their warm-up, and sang and bounced along with the 'Amber Army Anthem' when it was introduced by Club Chaplain Stuart Wood.

Jimmy Quinn made one change to the side that beat Burton in the semi-final second leg to progress to this final, naming Lee Boylan up front alongside Lee McEvilly, with Magno Vieira dropping to the bench, and by the time the players lined up for the pre-kick-off ceremony the ground was a stunning sea of colour; amber and black at the East end and red and white at the West end.

The opening minutes were charged with tension with little quality on show, and the first chance arrived in the seventh minute when Pitt fouled Stansfield on the right of the Exeter area and Richard Logan headed Moxey's free kick wide at the far post. At the other end Boylan raced into the box onto a through ball but was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Paul Jones who raced out to challenge him, and moments later Rob Wolleaston earned a corner that the Exeter defence smuggled away.

The action continued at a high tempo and switched from end to end, Edwards lifting a shot wide for the Grecians while another U's corner followed on 12 after good work from McEvilly, which Friend cleared. On 16 former U's schoolboy Matt Gill capped a patient passing move by Exeter with a low shot that flew inches wide, and two minutes later his cross caused problems in the United area as Peters and Albrighton both made defensive headers before Harley volleyed well over Potter's bar.

But Exeter's pressure paid off in the 23rd minute when Moxey's corner was allowed to reach Rob Edwards at the far post and the midfielder stooped to head past Potter and send the red and white half of the ground into ecstasy.

The goal seemed to knock United's players and fans out of their stride and a spell of Exeter keep-ball ensued on the half-hour, but the United end sparked into voice again on 33 when United won back-to-back corners, Taylor heading the first one behind and Jones rising to safely collect the second. A good move followed when Hatswell advanced down the left with Pitt supporting him on the outside, and the defender delivered a cross into the area where Gleeson connected but scooped the ball over the bar.

Courtney Pitt tricked his way towards the corner flag in the 41st minute and earned a free kick off Tully, but his floated delivery was headed away by Taylor. United finished the half strongly and in stoppage time Pitt's cross found Wolleaston, whose shot ricocheted off Seaborne and behind for another corner, but Pitt's cross was cleared by Taylor. That action brought to a close a disappointing half for United who had tried but failed to match Exeter's greater composure. Half-time 0-1

Second half:
United started the second half brightly, backed by the insistent bounce-bouncing of the amber hordes, although Exeter had the ball in the net again on 49 when Moxey drove the ball past the diving Potter despite the flag being raised.

Wolleaston kept the Grecians defence alert with a teasing cross on 50, a minute later Carden advanced in the inside right channel and flashed a low shot wide of the far post from the corner of the area, and on 54 Boylan fired wide from 20 yards.

Jimmy Quinn and Willy Wordsworth could be seen plotting their next moves after an hour, just as Gleeson advanced to deliver a curling cross to the far post but there was no one following in.

With Exeter looking more lively and alert, Richard Logan received the ball in acres of space on the right but fortunately lashed the ball across goal and wide of the far post, and 66 Boylan closed down a defender and as the ball was played back towards the keeper McEvilly chased it down and forced a corner.

The flagkick was cleared and immediately afterwards Quinn made his first change to bring on Stephen Reed for Danny Brown, and moments later there was a scare for Exeter as McEvilly chased down another back pass and almost got there before Jones.

Quinn's second change came on 70 when Magno Vieira replaced Boylan, and moments later referee Craig Mawson made his first booking when Gleeson tripped Moxey just outside the area but redeemed himself by clearing the resulting free kick.

Vieira marked his arrival with a lightning break down the right, and although he seemed to have pulled the ball back too far Reed raced onto the ball and struck a shot that deflected off Tully and was collected by Jones. A minute later a mix-up between Peters and Albrighton allowed Stansfield through, forcing Potter to come out and make a last gasp challenge.

Both sets of fans were in full voice and the breathless action almost resulted in an equaliser in the 74th minute when Jones fumbled a cross and dropped it at the feet of Peters who prodded it goalwards, but that man Matt Taylor was there to block it on the line.

Quinn added another attacking option when Leo Fortune-West replaced Gleeson on 76, and four minutes later a U's counterattack saw Vieira work his way into the area. The Brazilian had time to take an extra touch as he looked up to pick his spot, but drove the shot wide of the far post from 15yards.

A U's free kick on 82 saw the ball hacked behind under pressure from McEvilly but Taylor made the clearance, and two minutes later Exeter's first and only substitution saw Ben Watson replace Stansfield.

With time running out and the Exeter fans singing about going up, another U's attack saw Fortune-West pull the ball across the area to Wolleaston who floated a dipping ball over the bar. Wolleaston then released Vieira in the 89th minute but he was closed down between two defenders as he tried to burst into the area, and at the other end Moxey skipped a challenge to race clear on goal but Potter made a decisive sliding challenge with his feet to clear the danger.

Three minutes of added time were announced and the atmosphere boiled again, but Exeter's players ran the clock down and the final whistle heralded celebrations for the red and white half of the ground as the United players sunk to their knees at the end of this season's promotion dream.

The U's players had worked hard and had their chances, particularly in the second half, but ultimately Exeter had looked the more composed and effective side.

Man of the Match
Paul Carden: Maintained his usual standards with another busy, bustling performance at the heart of midfield and wasn't afraid to try his luck in front of goal.

Andrea Thrussell

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Mark Albrighton, Mark Peters, Wayne Hatswell; Dan Gleeson (Leo Fortune-West 76'), Rob Wolleaston, Paul Carden, Danny Brown (Stephen Reed 67'), Courtney Pitt; Lee Boylan (Magno Vieira 70'). Lee McEvilly.
Subs not used: Michael Morrison, Mark Beesley.

Booked: Gleeson foul 71'

Exeter City:
Paul Jones, Steve Bully, Danny Seaborne (c), Matt Taylor, George Friend; Ryan Harley, Matt Gill, Rob Edwards, Dean Moxey; Adam Stansfield (Ben Watson 84'), Richard Logan.
Subs not used: Andy Marriott, Berti Cozic, Lee Elam, Wayne Carlisle.

Ref: Craig Pawson

Att: 42,511

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