EXETER 2 (Harley 4, 83), LEEDS 0
Exeter: Jones, Tully, Duffy, Russell, Taylor, Harley, Stansfield (Logan 90), Golbourne, Cozic (Dunne 86), Edwards (Sercombe 74), Stewart. Subs: Marriott, McAllister, Saunders, Fleetwood.
United: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor (Grella 84), Kisnorbo, Hughes, Snodgrass, Kilkenny, Doyle (Howson 66), Johnson, Beckford, Becchio (Gradel 73). Subs: Jones, Crowe, Michalik, White.
Referee: G Scott
Booked: Duffy, Stewart (Exeter), Beckford, Johnson, Doyle, KIlkenny (Leeds)
Att: 8451
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United manager Simon Grayson shuffled to his starting line-up with Leigh Bromby replacing Jason Crowe at right-back, and Andrew Hughes returned to left-back. Bradley Johnson and Rob Snodgrass were on the flanks in midfield with Jonny Howson dropping to the bench.
In contrast to Yorkshire, Exeter was bathed in sunshine, but after a night of heavy rain, following a thaw from the freezing conditions, the pitch was very wet and the groundstaff had spent the morning sweeping water from areas of the surface.
Exeter have found most of their comforts on home soil this season and, with yet another full-house watching a Leeds away game, the home side went close inside the first couple of minutes when Matt Taylor lifted an effort over the bar.
And as United started on the back-foot the home side were in front in the fourth minute when Steve Tully whipped over a cross from the right and Ryan Harley got up well to head firmly beyond Casper Ankergren.
United were slow coming out of the blocks and Rob Edwards was off-target for the visitors when he tried his luck from distance after a corner was half-cleared. Exeter continued to look sharp and Ankergren got a decisive touch as Adam Stansfield looked to round him after a great ball forward.
Also of early concern was over-crowding in the away section as fans situated near the entrance were packed tightly and after calling for assistance from the Police and stewards a large number had to climb onto the perimeter of the pitch. At one stage a number of fans were watching from pitch-side as the game continued.
While the situation on the away terrace was being addressed, Leeds were attacking the goal at the other end, as Grayson's men appeared to find their feet in the contest. One Leigh Bromby throw-in caused problems and the ball had to be hooked clear off the line by an Exeter defender.
As the game headed towards the half-hour mark United were dominating in terms of possession, but other than a Luciano Becchio header over the top, chances were rare.
But when Exeter threatened again, it took a good save from Ankergren after Bromby had deflected a powerful Scott Golbourne cross goalwards. Marcus Stewart also headed wide from just inside the box after another good raid by the home side.
The home side were looking accomplished and caused problems on the attack, Harley going close again with a strike from distance after more good pressure.
But it was Leeds who finished the half on the ball again, the biggest threat coming from the long throw of Bromby deep into the box. United also started the second period on the ball and an offside flag prevented Snodgrass from delivering a cross when well placed.
Jermaine Beckford also delivered a teasing cross which was steered just wide of the mark as Leeds to make the possession count.
Grayson changed his side's shape at half-time, Andrew Hughes and Johnson taking up the role of wing-backs with Bromby joining Richard Naylor and Paddy Kisnorbo at the heart of the defcence. And it was Bromby who came close to levelling on 52 minutes when he got away down the right and shot over the top from an angle.
An offside flag also denied Beckford who latched on to a Johnson knock-on and looked to use his pace to good effect.
The rain returned again in the second period, making conditions increasingly difficult, and tempers were also fraught with a number of niggles developing.
But it was Leeds who carved out the next good chance when Hughes, latching on to an incisive pass, forced Paul Jones into making a good block with his legs. And when Snodgrass crossed from the left, Beckford got up well to head just over the bar.
Jones was called into action again when he parried a good strike from Johnson, and the Exeter goalkeeper recovered quickly to gather Beckford's follow-up shot. And Jones made a terrific save moments later to deny Beckford again as United continued to press for an equaliser.
With 17 minutes remaining, Grayson introduced Max Gradel, playing the final game of his loan spell, in place of Becchio. Leeds had dominated the second period but, as the game entered its final 15 minutes, United were still searching for a leveller.
As Leeds pressed, Stansfield got on the end of a quick Exeter break and after fending off Naylor he wasted a good opportunity by firing across the face of goal.
But the game was effectively sealed for the home side seven minutes from time when Harley bagged his second goal of the afternoon with a thumping strike from distance which left Ankergren with no chance.
Although Johnson forced a save from Jones in the 90th minute, the game was beyond Leeds and while six minutes of time were added on, Grayson's men slipped to a second league defeat of the season.
