Accrington Stanley's ten-match unbeaten run came to an end despite a brave battle against Exeter City.
Sean Devine opened the scoring on 20 minutes although his overhead kick was debatable. The assistant referee flagged that it had crossed the line although Peter Cavanagh claimed he had cleared it.
Barry McConnell had a chance to make it two for Exeter when he got the ball unmarked in the area, but Reds keeper Jon Kennedy managed to force him wide and he hit the ball into the sidenetting.
Left-winger Rory Prendergast was outstanding for Stanley and hit the crossbar just before the interval from 20 yards out.
But the visitors extended their lead after the break when Barry McConnell's cross was headed home by the unmarked Gareth Sheldon.
And it seemed bleak for Accrington when captain Cavanagh was sent off for a second bookable offence. The right-back had been booked on 63 minutes and two minutes later he was sent for an early bath after a foul on Santos Gaia.
He is the fifth Stanley player to be sent off this season.
But on 71 minutes, Stanley came back, star man Prendergast set up Paul Mullin who slid the ball home.
The ten men continued to battle and Prendergast almost grabbed a late equaliser but keeper Martin Rice pushed the shot away.