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EXETER (home) 26/12/03 Hereford missed the chance to close the gap on Chester City after being heldto a draw by visiting Exeter City. Despite creating more chances, United were unable to capitalise and in the end had to settle for a point. Paul Parry made a lively start for the Bulls, causing problems for the visitors' defence. Within the first five minutes he had created a decent chance, but his cross was just a little too far in front of both Rob Purdie and David Brown, neither of whom managed to trouble goalkeeper James Bittner. From a Danny Williams free-kick - awarded for a dreadful lunge on Purdie by Dwane Lee - Anwar Uddin got in a header, but again he failed toworry Bittner. Exeter looked a decent side as well, with winger James Coppinger causing no end of trouble down the right. Jamie Pitman played a suicidal pass straight to Coppinger, but the former Newcastle player's shot went just wide. Towards the end of the half, the same player had a shot from out wide on the right tipped over the bar by Matt Baker. At the other end, David Brown wasted a good chance for United. Despite having plenty of possession, United failed to carve out many clear-cut chances, and it was Exeter who came closest to taking the lead in injury time, when Glenn Cronin's cross-shot from the left was safely clutched by Baker on his goal-line. As in the first half, the home side started the brighter in the second period. The lively Purdie shot wide, before opening the scoring on 53 minutes. The ball broke for him and, from twenty-five yards, he lofted the ball over Bittner and into the top corner for his fourth goal of the season. United now created a few chances in quick succession. A great move involving Williams, Parry and Purdie culminated in Ben Smith firing just over. Parry was next to have a go, firing over with one effort and then forcing Bittner into a save with his next. On 65 minutes however, Coppinger beat Michael Rose and played a low ball straight to the feet of the unmarked Steve Flack, who had the simplest of finishes two yards out in front of an open goal. Hilariously, the striker managed to hit the crossbar before the ball was scrambled to safety. With Sky cameras at Edgar Street, it's a near certainty that his miss will be included on Rory McGrath's next 'Football Howlers' video. Shortly afterwards, Flack made amends with the equaliser, although his goal had more than a hint of good fortune about it. Reinier Moor received the ball and went round Anwar Uddin. The young Irishman then sent the ball low to the feet of Flack, whose first time effort hit the post, rebounded off his torso and into the net. Flack was later to have another effort disallowed, although the linesman's flag was up a long time before the ball ended up in the net. United continued to press forward, and Bittner did well to tip away two inswinging corners from Parry. With seven minutes to go, the Exeter goalkeeper was shown the red card. Purdie released Parry, who raced towards goal. Bittner ran out of his area and chopped down the Welsh winger in full flight. There was a brief stoppage as Bittner injured himself in the process - doing more harm to himself than to Parry. Earlier in the second half, Danny Williams had had to leave the field injured after a challenge by the visiting goalkeeper. Michael Rose's free-kick went straight into the wall. In stoppage time, Rose took another free-kick from a more central position, but again he failed to hit the target. From a counter attack, Parry raced forward and slipped the ball to Purdie who did precisely that - slip over. The good news is that United now have a three point lead over the sides below them; the bad news is that they now trail Chester by six points, although they do have a game in hand. Nevertheless, this was definitely a case of two points dropped rather than one gained, and the New Year's Day fixture against the same opponents will be crucial. Team and ratings: Baker (7), Green (8), Uddin (7), James (8), Rose (7), Williams (7) (sub Beesley (3)), Smith (7), Pitman (5), Parry (8), Purdie (8), Brown (7). Subs not used: King, Scott, Craven, Teesdale.
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