In-form Nichols keeps City dreaming

Goals from Tom Nichols and Graham Cummins kept Exeter's hopes of making the play-offs alive and their 2-1 win at Whaddon Road left Cheltenham in deeper relegation trouble.Cheltenham carved out the first chance of the game in the third minute when Danny Haynes fed Wes Burns, who sent a shot wide of the far post.Burns' cross was nodded wide by Matt Sparrow in the 17th minute, but Exeter took the lead in the 26th minute.A long free-kick from Pym was helped on by David Wheeler and Nichols lifted the ball neatly over advancing goalkeeper Trevor Carson and into the net for his 14th of the campaign.Carson saved from substitute Tom McCready low to his right in the 58th minute and the lively Nichols had a chance to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute, but he could not keep his shot down.Cheltenham substitute Omari Sterling-James saw an effort deflected wide, but Exeter secured the points when Cummins followed up after Arron Davies' shot was not dealt with by Carson in the 86th minute.Cheltenham pulled one back through Jordan Moore-Taylor's own goal in the 89th minute but it was too little too late.