Jamie Cureton's second-half goal earned Exeter three deserved points against Rochdale in a 1-0 win at St James' Park.

Ryan Harley twice went close with shots from distance, but the closest Exeter came to scoring was when Jamie Cureton's shot was stopped on the line by Craig Dawson. The Grecians got the goal they deserved four minutes after the break when Troy Archibald-Henville crossed from the right and Cureton glanced a header home from eight yards. Rochdale responded with a good run from Joe Thompson, but his shot was well saved by Paul Jones. The goal kicked Dale into life and they were enjoying their best spell of the game, but they could not breach an Exeter defence that were on top form in keeping only their second clean sheet of the campaign. Exeter could have added to their score late on, but James Dunne's blockbuster rattled the crossbar from 25 yards.