A stunning strike late strike from Nicky Law kept Exeter City’s 100 per cent start to the season going as they recorded a 1-0 win away at Stevenage.
The Grecians had created the better chances throughout the match and had built up a head of steam in the closing stages when a half cleared corner found Law on the edge of the box and he hit a sweet volley, with the outside of his boot, into the bottom corner.
City manager Matt Taylor made one change to the starting line-up from the opening day victory over Macclesfield as the fit again Craig Woodman replaced Aaron Martin who dropped to the bench.
It was the home side that went close to opening the scoring early on when Danny Newton drifted into some space in the area and hit a half volley towards goal. However, Lewis Ward dived to his left and got a strong hand to the ball to palm it away from danger.
After that City began to have the better of the first half chances as Randell Williams cut in from the right and hit an effort just over before then sending a free-kick arrowing towards the top corner only to be denied by a superb save from Paul Farman.
That chance was arguably the best of the opening 45 minutes, as defences remained on top, but further efforts came from City as Archie Collins had a shot blocked from the edge of the box and Pierce Sweeney sliced an effort into the side netting.
However, after the break it was City who made the all the running. The half was only seven minutes old when Williams ghosted his way past two defenders in the box only for his pull back to Law to get nicked off the toes of the midfielder.
Paul Taylor did lash a shot over for the hosts moments later, but that was about as good as it got for Stevenage in the second forty-five. Moments later Law was in the thick of the action again as he latched onto a Jake Taylor backheel only to be tugged back in the box prompting penalty appeals that were turned down.
Williams then hit another free-kick that deflected just wide before Law claimed for another penalty as his close range header appeared to hit the arm of a home defender. At this stage, with 15 minutes left on the clock, the match was very much with City as Law and substitute Lee Martin combined to set up Williams with another sight of goal but his effort from just outside the box was inches wide of the far corner.
So it was just reward when, on 88 minutes, a corner was half cleared to Law and he finished so brilliantly.
Further chances came City’s way in the closing stages by Farman blocked a close-range shot from Williams and then palmed away a Law effort in stoppage time.
Exeter City: Ward; Sweeney, Moxey, Parkes, Woodman; Williams, J Taylor, Collins, Law; Ajose (L Martin, 70), Bowman. Subs not used: Maxted, A Martin, L Martin, Holmes, Warren, Jay, Fisher.
Booked: Collins, Williams
Stevenage: Farman; James-Wildin, Stokes, Cuthbert, Soares (Cowley, 75), Sonupe, Husin (Parrett, 52), Vancooten, Ionotten, Newton (Guthrie, 66), Taylor. Subs not used: Bastien, Carter, Fielding, Smith.
Booked: Soares
Attendance: 2398 (395 Away)