October 25, 1980 - Exeter City 3 Swindon Town 4

TWO goals conceded from individual errors in the last 20 minutes at St James Park could have proved costly for Town.

But fortunately, they had held a 4-1 lead prior to then and escaped from Devon with both points.

They had mustered just two goalless draws from their seven away league trips so far.

So, when Tony Kellow caught the defence daydreaming from a long throw in the 22nd minute and headed the Grecians in front, another away day defeat looked on the cards.

However, this time Town were quick to respond and it took just four minutes for them to get on level terms, Alan Mayes pouncing on a rebound after an Ian Miller centre had hit the top of an upright.

By half-time they were in front.

Andy Rowland saw a shot deflected on to a post but he was not to be denied and two minutes later, he was successful with a deft near-post header from a Brian Williams corner.

Swindon went further ahead eight minutes after the break when a four-man move ended with Miller surging past two defenders before lashing the ball high into the net beyond Len Bond’s grasp.

The winger was involved again when Town registered their fourth midway through the second period.

His cross from the right found Mayes at the far post and his header back towards goal fell perfectly for Rowland to ram home.

A handball by Roy Carter gave City a penalty, which Kellow converted, and then a diving header from Ray Pratt, after Chris Kamara had given away possession, made it a nervous final eight minutes for the visitors.

The win still left the club just three points off the foot of the table.

It was the first since they had dispensed with the services of manager Bobby Smith three weeks earlier.