City’s unbeaten spell came to an end as Stockport County ran out 1-0 winners at Edgeley Park thanks to a solitary goal from Nathan Lowe.
The Grecians battled hard but were unable to find the leveller in Greater Manchester.
Gary Caldwell made just one change from the side that drew 1-1 at home to Reading last time out with Ed Turns coming in for the injured Johnly Yfeko. City captain Pierce Sweeney made his 400th appearance for the club.
First Half
It was an open start to the game with both sides testing each other’s defensive resolve early on.
Jack Fitzwater made an early block to deny County captain Ollie Norwood from outside the box after three minutes of action.
Reece Cole then called Ben Hinchcliffe into action for the first time with a strong effort from outside the box. The keeper spilled Cole’s shot which was pounced on by an alert Jayden Wareham, but the offside flag, and the recovering Hinchcliffe, denied City’s number nine.
City were then caught out on the counter by Jack Diamond who beat Pierce Sweeney for pace down the left before latching onto a long ball and forcing Joe Whitworth into a rushed block on the edge of his area after 15 minutes.
Despite a relatively positive start for City, Stockport took the lead in the 23rd minute as Lowe powered his header home past Whitworth into the far-left corner from a well delivered Stockport corner kick.
The Grecians could well have found themselves 2-0 down just a minute later as a searching right footed cross from Diamond on the left wing met the head of Kyle Wootton who in turn forced Whitworth into a fantastic fingertip save to keep City in the game.
Second half
The second half started brightly for City, and they could have found themselves level straight after the restart.
A smart clipped ball found Ilmari Niskanen in space at the back post, but the Finnish wingback blazed his volley over the bar.
Whitworth was called into action again in the 52nd minute, denying Norwood’s second attempt from distance with a strong palm away.
City then had another golden opportunity to equalise through Niskanen, after the Finn was played clear down the right by a superb ball from Kevin McDonald, but the wingback’s effort from close range was deflected behind for a corner after ignoring the option for a cut back on the penalty spot.
The Grecians kept pushing for the equaliser but despite late efforts from Josh Magennis and McDonald, Stockport’s defence stood strong at the final whistle blew.
Up Next
City are back in action on Thursday as we welcome rivals Plymouth Argyle to a sold out St James Park for the first Devon Derby of the season.
Exeter City XI: Whitworth, McMillan, Turns (Francis, 85), Fitzwater, Brierley (Wilson, 85), Wareham (Higgins, 58), Cole (Aitchison, 58), Niskanen, Andrew, Sweeney © (McDonald, 58), Magennis.
Subs not used: Bycroft (GK), Woodhouse.
Yellow card: Cole 19’.
Stockport County XI: Hinchliffe; Olowu, Connolly, Pye; Onyango, Bailey (Camps, 86), Norwood (Capt.), Osborn; Lowe (Moxon, 65), Wootton, Diamond (Fevrier, 86).
Subs not used: Addai, O’Keeffe, Fiorini, Astles.
Yellow Card: Norwood.
Attendance: 9,190 (504 away).