Nathan Lowe headed in the only goal as Stockport beat visitors Exeter 1-0.
Exeter’s late arrival delayed kick-off by 15 minutes and neither side could impose their will early on.
But as the first half drew on, Stockport gained the upper hand and deservedly led at the break thanks to Lowe’s fine 24th-minute strike.
Ollie Norwood supplied the cross from a short corner and Lowe timed his run perfectly to power in his header.
Kyle Wootton almost doubled the lead a minute later with a header from Jack Diamond’s cross, but Joe Whitworth reacted well to tip it over.
Diamond tried his luck when given acres of space but, despite having better options, he sent a shot wide.
Exeter improved in the second half and Ilmari Niskanen volleyed a chance over within a minute of the restart.
He was later denied by a goal-line block from Callum Connolly.
Josh Magennis put his only chance wide as the Grecians toiled in search of an equaliser, but their challenge fizzled out as County saw out the victory.
