City played brilliantly and the thousands of Exeter fans, some of whom had travelled from as far as Australia, behaved outstandingly.
It was the biggest FA Cup shock for many years.
And we can now look forward to the return match at home next Wednesday. Surely one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in Exeter�s history.
The news that it will be broadcast live by the BBC will also mean that those local fans unable to get in will at least be able to cheer the Grecians along on the telly.
Exeter�s cup success is a fantastic boost for the club and its supporters, but also for our city as a whole.
It should, hopefully, mark the end of a very dispiriting period in Exeter City�s history - of constant financial crisis and relegation.
It also rewards the confidence of those who have stood by the club in its time of deepest trouble. I am thinking particularly of Ian Huxham and the other dedicated and visionary fans, who helped transform City into a supporters trust.
Exeter is a democratic club, owned by its supporters, not by dodgy business people only interested in personal glory or stripping the club of its assets. I hope all those supporters who are not yet members of the Trust will now join.
The national Football Trust, whom we helped persuade to fund St James� Park�s new stands have also had their confidence rewarded.
As has Exeter City Council, which has been generous in deferring loan and rent repayments to help the club stay afloat.
However we do next Wednesday, the gate receipts and TV cash from both legs should at least put City back on a more stable financial footing.
This great cup run coincides with solid progress up the Conference. Let�s hope it gives City the confidence to get back into the Football League, where we belong.
