SHAKERS dominated a simply lifeless Exeter outfit from start to finish with their poor distribution from the back, Redmond excluded, and some wasteful finishing the only criticisms of a side now looking fully adjusted to life in Division Three and ready to impose themselves on the promotion race.

George showed his alertness after just nine minutes, pouncing on a sloppy back pass to see his snap shot parried at point blank range. He also pushed a close-range header over the bar shortly before the break.

Striker Jon Newby showed strong signs of ending his league goal drought, which now stretches back three months, but lack of confidence twice forced him to pass the ball inside when facing gilt-edged scoring chances.

With the game entering its final stages, not even some clever touches from Preece and the industry of Chris Billy and Lenny Johnrose looked like penetrating City's all-out defensive gameplan.

Then came the brave move by assistant manager Graham Barrow to replace Redmond with exciting striker David Nugent. And the teenage sensation once again made a huge impact, working his way past his marker and into the box before pulling the ball back for George to stab home from eight yards out.

Not even celebrity chairman Uri Geller's mind tricks could bend the visitors back into shape after that.