With ten games to go, joint manager Pete Gartrell suggested a maximum 30 points were needed to win the league and while that was undoubtedly a big ask, six successive wins followed and 30/30 had become a possibility. However, there is a difference between winning and playing well and asking for ten good performances on the trot would have been and even bigger task and this was the game where those good performances stopped with an abrupt halt. On a sun drenched seaside afternoon, a bobbly pitch and opponents who seemed to relish the chance to defeat the table toppers, Stoke succumbed to a defeat which makes runners up spot now the most achievable ambition. Starting with a 3-5-2 which has stood them in good stead recently, Stoke were quickly exposed on both flanks and frequent early chances fell to the continuously troublesome Andy Jones, Matt Dawson and Ben Shepherd. Stoke countered by switching to a 3-4-3 half way through the half but when SImon Armstrong headed wide from 6 yards while unmarked from a Dave Worthington corner on 26 minutes, the writing could conceivably have been on the wall. As it was, the half remained blank but stern words and reorganisation were undoubtedly required at half time and if they were adminstered it made no difference as Stoke continued to look disjointed. Exmouth eventually got their reward on 55 minutes when Liam Collings missed his tackle on James Berry who ran on before squaring to Matt Dawson who rifled home past the hapless Kenny Griffiths. Stoke needed a response but it did not come and 4 minutes later the hosts extended their lead when Berry outpaced the Stoke back line and drove home past an exposed Griffiths. As is often the case, Stoke then seemed to come alive and almost immediately Glen Palmer's drive across the impressive Sandy Allen in the home goal hit the far post and rebounded away to safety and a smart control and turn in the visitors box from Ty Hawken saw his half shot saved one handed low to his left by Allen. The introduction of Matt Micklewright, Richard Gomm and Jimmy Holland provided some much needed pace and forward thrust but while Stoke dominated the final 20 minutes, Exmouth defended resolutely and their better team ethic, workrate and all round desire deservedly won the day.