The impressive Appleby was forced out of the action on 49 minutes with a leg injury but he was fit to return to the fray moments later.

With Appleby at the forefront of many of their best moves, the visitors were still the better side without testing Van Heusden as much as the first half.

Sall did have a shot on goal but the centre back put a 20-yard free-kick straight into the keeper's hands on the hour.Abdou Sall

Read replaced Roscoe for the home side seconds later.

Then Harriers threatened again when Blake flicked Stamps's long throw just over the bar on 61 minutes.

McConnell came to Exeter's rescue on 65 minutes, hooking the ball off the line at the right-hand post after Sall had volleyed Appleby's corner towards goal.