Exeter City Football Club were held to a 1-1 draw by Barnet in a League Two clash at St James Park on Tuesday night. Manager Matt Taylor insisted his team deserved all three points after a strong performance that saw a late winner controversially ruled out.
The game began with Barnet, who started the night as League Two leaders, seeing an early goal disallowed for offside. Exeter City grew into the contest and created several chances. Andrew Oluwabori drove into the box and set up Sam Gordon, whose effort was saved. Reece Cole then saw a curled finish go wide and later forced Barnet keeper Matthew Cox into a good save from a free-kick.
Oluwabori's night ended prematurely when he was injured and replaced by Ethan Sutherland in the 26th minute. Cole tested Cox again just before half-time. The deadlock was broken on the hour mark when a long ball caught out the Exeter defence. Jack Bycroft saved Kabongo Tshimanga's initial effort, but Idris Kanu tapped in the rebound for Barnet.
The Grecians responded brilliantly, equalising just six minutes later. Gwion Edwards provided a low cut-back from the left, and Reece Cole arrived to finish emphatically from ten yards out. The home side pushed for a winner in the closing stages. In stoppage time, Ethan Sutherland thought he had scored after Ethan Edwards tapped the ball home, but the assistant referee's flag for offside cut the celebrations short.
Only three minutes of added time were indicated, a decision that surprised many given the second-half incidents. Barnet had a late chance of their own when Adam Senior headed wide at the far post. The 1-1 draw was enough to knock Barnet off the summit of the League Two table.
The Exeter City manager was full of praise for his players despite the frustration of the disallowed goal. "I thought we were outstanding," Taylor told reporters. He expanded on his feelings about the key late decision. "It could have been even better as we had a perfectly good goal chalked off at the end there, but I am absolutely delighted with the group."
Taylor described it as a "strange night" for the match officials from both teams' perspectives. He was clear about the disallowed goal, stating, "We're disappointed with that. It's not the referee's decision to give offside when the player's onside." The attendance of 4,826 was the first sub-5,000 league crowd at St James Park since a match against Crawley Town in March 2022.
The point leaves Exeter City 15th in the League Two standings with four points from their opening four games. Their record shows one win, one draw, and two losses, with a recent form guide reading DLWL. The team has scored four goals and conceded four, giving them a neutral goal difference. They currently sit five points behind the new leaders, Bristol Rovers.
Matt Taylor made three alterations from the side that lost at York City last Saturday. Lakyle Samuel, on loan from Manchester City, was handed his full debut, replacing Ethan Sutherland in the starting lineup. Jake Doyle-Hayes returned to the starting eleven after recovering from a groin injury. Andrew Oluwabori was recalled in place of striker Sonny Cox, with Taylor Perry moving to the bench.
New signing Jack Taylor, arriving on loan from Stevenage, was not registered in time to feature in this match. The club did complete the signings of strikers Danny Rose and Ajay Matthews after the final whistle, adding to their attacking options. Taylor confirmed the club is still working to bring more players in, saying, "There's bodies out there, there's personnel out there, so we'll keep on assessing it."
The team's overall form remains a concern, with just one win in their last five matches this season and only two victories in their previous 25 league games dating back to last campaign. Their immediate focus shifts to a tough home fixture against third-placed Walsall on Saturday, September 5th. Fans can find details for that match and others on our fixtures schedule.
