Exeter City missed out on the chance to move into the League Two playoff places after they were beaten 2-1 by Accrington Stanley at St James' Park.

Shay McCartan cancelled out Tom Nichols's opener for Exeter before Tom Aldred struck the winner for the visitors in stoppage time.

Christian Ribeiro saw an effort blocked for Exeter in the first half before Lee Molyneux fired an ambitious effort from around 35 yards wide on the half-hour mark.

Molyneux went closer two minutes later but this time his on-target attempt was well saved by Exeter goalkeeper James Hamon.

Nichols then gave the home side the lead when he headed home Ryan Hartley's cross on 34 minutes.

Sean Maguire nearly equalised with a header a minute into the second period before Tom Aldred fired over the bar.

Accrington had their leveller on 67 minutes when McCarten headed home Molyneux's delivery to make their sustained period of pressure count.

The visitors almost took the lead with 10 minutes remaining but Andew Proctor's header was well saved by Hamon but it was Aldred who eventually claimed the winner late on.