Steenson, Armand help Exeter beat Montpellier 24-27

Montpellier 24-27 Exeter Chiefs, Altrad Stadium
Scorecard

Gareth Steenson kicked the decisive penalty in the final 10 minutes as Exeter Chiefs managed to edge out Montpellier with a 24-27 win at Altrad Stadium on Sunday.

This is Exeter's second win in as many games and they stay second in Pool 2 behind Leinster while Montpellier are at third.

Centre Joe Tomane crossed over for Montpellier in the sixth minute to set the proceedings but 13 minutes later Don Armand went past the line and Steenson's conversion took them to a two point lead.

The French side suffered a setback when Jesse Mogg was sin-binned following which Steenson kicked his first penalty to put the Aviva Premiership champions five points ahead. Despite being one man down, Montpellier were unwilling to relent as Benoit Paillaugue crossed over to level the scores.

At the stroke of half-time Nemani Nadolo gave some respite for Montpellier with a 39th minute touchdown and Paillaugue's conversion put them seven points ahead.

The start of the second half was intense as Exeter's Ian Whitten scored a try in the 42nd minute but his efforts were negated by a second touchdown from Nadolo that came three minutes later.

As the game was heading for a close finish, Armand scored the decisive try in the 63rd minute while skipper Steenson slotted the conversion and a penalty in the 64th and 71st minutes respectively to seal a three point win for Exeter Chiefs.