A ninth-minute Tom Nichols strike was enough to hand Exeter City all three points against Cambridge United this evening.

Exeter went close in the opening stages as David Wheeler's flick found Joel Grant, who saw his deflected effort dribble just wide of the post.

The ninth minute saw the Grecians take the lead as Danny Butterfield found Nichols, who turned on-loan Leicester City defender Alie Sesay before smashing home the opener.

Cambridge defender George Taft saw yellow for a 15th-minute challenge but Nichols could not double his and Exeter's tally from the resulting free kick.

Barry Corr had the opportunity to level the scores five minutes later but failed to find the target from close range.

Corr then latched on to a Jordan Tillson backpass, advancing towards Exeter keeper Bobby Olejnik who fired his clearance off the striker and over his own crossbar.

The second half saw Cambridge go on the offensive, as Exeter kept it tight in defence on the back of their one-goal lead.

Irishman Corr was on the end of another Cambridge attack but could only head straight at Olejnik.

In the 80th minute, the striker then headed down a ball into the path of Jordan Slew, who fired his effort over the bar.

Luke Berry was the next U's player to test the Exeter keeper but Richard Money's side could not find the back of the net.

Paul Tisdale's outfit move up to 11th in the League Two table, while Cambridge remain in 16th.