Exeter City kept up their push for promotion from Sky Bet League Two as they came from behind to beat Cheltenham Town 2-1 at St James Park.

Carl Winchester had given the away side the lead in the first half when he curled the ball in from distance, before City came back into it just before half-time through Robbie Simpson.

A combative second half saw the Grecians push to go ahead, and they did so when Jordan Storey popped up to head the ball home for Lloyd James' corner kick.

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City manager Paul Tisdale made two changes to the starting XI with Robbie Simpson making his first start of the season, and Craig Woodman coming into the side as the Grecians looked to get back to winning ways.

The Grecians started on the front foot, and after putting a couple of dangerous crosses in through the likes of Lloyd James and Hiram Boateng, they then created their first opportunity when the ball broke to Jake Taylor on the edge of the box, who shot just over Scott Flinders’ goal.

The away side were keen to disrupt the City midfield, making numerous fouls in the opening exchanges, but they created their first real chance when Pierce Sweeney was robbed of the ball in the Grecians’ half before the ball fell to Kevin Dawson, but his attempt edged wide Christy Pym’s goal.

The Grecians had Craig Woodman to thank just after the 15-minute mark when a Cheltenham counter-attack saw Mohamed Eisa dart down the left before pulling the ball back towards Nigel Atangana, but for the City left-back who made a vital interception as City cleared.

Atangana would have another chance just a couple of minutes later when the ball broke to him on the edge of the City box before his shot struck the crossbar.

An entertaining first 20 minutes then saw Pierce Sweeney curl an effort just over after initial good play from Jordan Storey who did well to keep a City corner alive.

A passage of good City play saw Simpson play a ball over the top first time to Jayden Stockley, who held the ball well for James whose cross found the onrushing Jordan Tillson, but his strong header was saved well by Flinders.

It was Gary Johnson’s side who would take the lead though, on 36 minutes, when Winchester found himself in space on the edge of the box before he curled a left-footed effort past Pym to give Town the advantage.

City weren’t behind for long though as they hit back on 42 minutes when good play on the right from Sweeney saw him cross towards the near post and Simpson was on hand to volley home to net his first of the season as the sides went into the break level.

Tisdale’s side created the first opportunity of the half when Boateng’s short free-kick was laid into the path of Dean Moxey, whose thumped effort curled narrowly away from goal.

Just after the hour mark Jerell Sellars was inches from putting Town ahead when he managed to work some space in the City box before curling an effort towards the far corner. Thankfully for City, though, his attempt could only find Pym’s right-hand post.

Boateng was next to have a chance for City, 15 minutes from time, when the ball fell to him on the right before he cut inside and had his shot deflected onto the crossbar as the Grecians pushed for a winner.

The City pressure eventually paid off when James’ corner was headed into the far corner by youngster Storey who claimed his second goal for the club.

The Grecians managed the remaining minutes well as they controlled possession, taking a vital three points in the race for promotion.

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, Woodman, James, Tillson, Simpson (Jay, 71), Stockley, Moxey, Taylor, Storey, Boateng

Subs not used: Jones, Archibald-Henville, Brunt, Wilson, Croll, Loft

Booked:

Cheltenham Town: Flinders, Atangana, Dawson (Andrews, 83), Winchester (Pell, 45), Boyle, Sellars, Eisa, Morrell, Rodon, Moore, Chatzitheodoridis (Cranston, 83)

Subs not used: Lovett, Bower, Graham, Lloyd

Booked: Chatzitheodoridis

Attendance: 4,420 (Inc, 233, away)