RAPLEY THE ANSWER TO CITY'S CRISIS?

City have the worst scoring record in Division Three scoring only 13 goals in their first 16 league contests this term and the City boss has already used SEVEN strikers this season.

Blake turned to West Ham frontrunner Gavin Holligan at the beginning of the month but the on-loan Hammer has failed to find the net for the Devonshire side in three appearances, while Christian Roberts, the club's top scorer with four, has failed to register since his two-goal blast against York mid-September.

Rapley, 23, has fallen out of favour at Meadow Lane following the appointment of Jocky Scott after commanding a £50,000 fee when he moved to The Magpies in February 1999 and will be looking to get his career back on track following his loan move to St James's Park.

"Kevin has not been in the reckoning for quite some time and is obviously keen to get a fresh start," said County deputy chairman Peter Storrie. "We hope his move to Exeter can result in something more permanent, either with Exeter or with his putting himself in the shop window."

Despite their lowly 19th position, City boss Blake admits his side are playing well, but a failure to take their chances has led to another foray into the transfer market.

"I need to shake one or two things up to get us going again, " said Blake. "We have been making chances and we have to start taking them."

The Grecians chief also admits his search for more firepower has not ended and that he is in talks with a second, as yet unnamed, target.