Tom Bedford scored a try in either half to help Exeter secure a bonus point

Exeter beat Manchester convincingly on a day when their National One title hopes were given a major boost.

The Chiefs ran in six tries to beat Manchester but it was leaders Leeds' first defeat of the season at Doncaster which has reopened the promotion race.

Exeter, with a tough trip to Nottingham next Sunday to come, are now just eight points behind - with a game in hand.

Tom Bedford (2), Paul McKenzie and Ed Lewsey, Bryan Rennie and Richard Bolt bagged the Chiefs' six tries.

Bedford, McKenzie and Lewsey all scored first-half tries to make it 19-0 at half time.

Rennie then got Exeter's fourth before Bedford capped off a mazy run with his second try with 10 minutes to go.

Andre Wilson got a consolation try for Manchester before Bolt completed the scoring on the whistle.

Kicking duties were shared between Danny Gray, who landed three conversions and Gareth Steenson, who improved two.

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