A clinical Shaftesbury performance saw Exmouth Town knocked out of the FA Cup, as they won 2-0 at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

Goals from Toby Holmes and Harry Baker saw the visitors come out on top, with Town hitting the bar twice alongside a defensive display from the Rockies.

Luke Steer returned to the side in place of Ethan Slater, whilst Town favourite Chris Wright returned between the sticks, replacing the injured Aaron Dearing.

It was the hosts who started the evening on the front foot, as Aarron Denny would see a shot blocked after a good advantage by the referee.

Leighton Thomas would be the first man to test Wright, but the goalkeeper stood up to the challenge.

Holmes would have a go next for the visitors, but Wright made a good stop to deny the Shaftesbury captain.

Town would have their best chance of the game so far just after the 20 minute mark, with Joe Belsten teeing up Callum Shipton, but his header floated wide.

Ben Taylor made a fantastic save to deny Denny’s edge of the box drive, getting across brilliantly.

Mike Landricombe and Ben Griffith would both have efforts go wide as the game went into the break all-square.

Denny was driving Town forward, and some great skill from him would see Morcom given the chance to cross in, but the visitors got back well to deny Wright a clean effort on goal.

The visitors would punish the hosts just moments later, as Holmes caught Wright off-guard with a speculative volley, which put the Rockies ahead.

With 25 minutes to go, Town would strike the crossbar, as Landricombe headed across the box to Ollie Knowles, but his header hit the top of the woodwork.

Exmouth would be called into defensive action, as Belsten made a great block to stop Baker from extending the lead.

Luke Burbidge would have the next chance to put daylight between the two sides, but Wright was level with his outside the box effort.

It was a mazy solo run from Denny that almost gave Town an equaliser, but his shot deflected onto the crossbar.

That was followed up by a superb Taylor save, as the midfielder’s next attempt scrambled into the path of Shipton, but the goalkeeper got out quickly to stop him.

The feeling that it was not going to go Town’s way grew as both Ed Butcher and Knowles would have efforts both on and off target respectively.

As Town poured everything forward, it left them vulnerable on the break, with Burbidge setting up Baker, and the forward slotting past Wright.

It was not to be for Town, who played well but did not take their chances, and they will look to start their next cup run, as they host Swindon Supermarine in the FA Trophy this Saturday.

Line-Up: Wright, Belsten, Morcom (Cann, 80), Landricombe, Knowles, Shipton (Rowe, 93), Kennell (McCue, 75), Denny, Griffith (B.Steer, 75), L.Steer (Butcher, 75), Wright.

Subs not used: Shore, Kraus.