Exeter City were held to a goalless draw by Colchester United in a tight League Two contest at the Jobserve Community Stadium on Saturday. The point extends the Grecians' unbeaten run across all competitions to four matches as they prepare to host third-placed Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday 20 October. The club currently sits 16th in League Two on 13 points from 11 games, having recorded three wins and four draws so far this season.
Matt Taylor kept faith with the same starting eleven that secured wins over Rotherham United and Shrewsbury Town. "We fielded an unchanged starting lineup from the previous two wins," the manager said. Sonny Cox, who scored the 86th-minute winner assisted by George Birch against Shrewsbury on Saturday 10 October, began on the bench alongside Reece Cole, who returned from a brief injury absence.
Chances were scarce in a first half where both defences held firm. Jack Fitzwater made a key early block to deny a Colchester through-ball, while at the other end, Josh Gordon's cross was claimed by goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala. The home side thought they had broken the deadlock when Bradley Ihionvien found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Exeter's best opportunity came shortly after the hour mark when Charlie Cummins saw a heavily deflected shot saved. Taylor then made a quadruple substitution, introducing Cox, Cole, Ethan Sutherland and Vincent Harper in search of a winner. Colchester came closest in the final quarter, with a deflected shot clipping the crossbar before Fitzwater cleared, and Jack Bycroft was forced into several smart saves at his near post.
The draw leaves Exeter City 16th in the League Two standings with 13 points from 11 games, leaving them nine points behind leaders Salford City. Their recent form reads two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five outings, a sequence which includes a 2-2 draw with Oxford United and a 1-0 win over Rotherham. The team has scored six goals and conceded six. They now turn their attention to a tough midweek test against high-flying Crewe, who are third in the table, at St James Park on Tuesday, 20 October.
