Exeter City 1 Charlton Athletic 1 - Grecians concede late equaliser but point closer to safety

It was very nearly a Good Friday for Exeter City but the Grecians were forced to settle for just a point at St James Park as Charlton Athletic snatched a late equalizer.

Ben Purrington put City 1-0 up in the sixth minute as they capitalized on a bright start. The defender rose highest to head home from close range from a Jack Aitchison cross. Purrington had an equally vital touch in first half stoppage time as he did just enough to clear a George Dobson effort off the line.

Freddie Ladapo off the bench missed a great chance to equalize at the start of the second half, before Luke Harris wasted a golden opportunity to seal the win for the Grecians, firing wide from close range.

And that was costly as late on, Chuks Aneke equalised for the Addicks, the striker’s header taking a deflection off Cheick Diabate and to creep home. Alfie May should have won it in stoppage-time, but hit the woodwork.

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The draw extended Charlton’s unbeaten run to nine, and City’s unbeaten run to four, but so nearly was a third successive win. City stay 15^th, nine points clear off the relegation zone, with Charlton one place below them.

Following the 1-0 win at home to Burton Albion 13 days ago, Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell made two changes to his Grecians side. In came Purrington and Ryan Woods, with Reece Cole dropping down to the bench, and Zak Jules serving the first match of a three game suspension following his red card against the Brewers. Jack Fitzwater, who hasn’t featured in a squad since February 3, and hasn’t played since October 31, was named among the subs.

City flew out of the traps and had early chances, winning several corners inside five minutes. Aitchison saw a shot blocked, and then Tennai Watson nearly put a cross into his own net, but in the sixth minute, City got the goal their start merited.

The ball was recycled well after a corner, worked to Aitchison, and his cross from the right was headed home from close by Purrington, against his former club. It was a first Grecians goal for the January signing, and remarkably, was the first time City have scored in the first 15 minutes at St James Park in the league since October 2, 2021.

It took 18 minutes for Charlton to create their first chance. Karoy Anderson was given space on the edge of the box, but his powerful strike was palmed away by Vil Sinisalo. Alfie May also volleyed over, but City looked comfortable in possession, and were knocking the ball around nicely. Dobson did volley home for Nathan Jones’ men, but long after the whistle had already gone for a foul in the build-up.

On the stroke of half-time, the Addicks skipper thought he had levelled. Alfie May found him as he burst forward, he clipped the finish past the onrushing Sinisalo, but Purrington just got back in time and cleared off the line, despite the protests of the visitors. Replays suggested it might have crossed the line, but the officials said no, as the Grecians went in 1-0 up.

Jones made a change at the break, with Ladapo replacing Anderson. And the former Argyle man nearly scored within two minutes of the second half when found by Daniel Kanu, but Pierce Sweeney threw his body in the way to make a massive block. The striker then chased down a long ball, but volleyed straight at the Finn.

City were still threatening – Sonny Cox curled over after a well-worked corner routine, before in quick succession, Caldwell’s men had two chances to kill the game off. Firstly Aitchison broke, with Harris and Cox either side of him, but he failed to pick either out. Then Yanic Wildschut picked out Harris ten yards out and unmarked, but the Fulham loanee fired wide.

Caldwell’s first changes saw Dion Rankine and Millenic Alli replace Aitchison and Wildschut. Chuks Aneke, a second half sub for Charlton pounced on a mistake as City tried to play out from the back, he curled just over the crossbar.

Diabate, Mo Eisa and Cole all came on and City looked for fresh legs to hold onto their one goal lead. But in the 87^th minute, the Addicks drew level. A cross was floated in by Tyreeq Bakinson, Aneke rose highest, and his headed took a wicked deflection off Diabate to wrongfoot Sinisalo and creep home.

Seven minutes of stoppage-time were added-on. And in the fifth of them, Charlton should have won it. May beat the offside trap, rounded Sinisalo, and had the goal gaping. But League One’s leading scorer with the open goal hit the post.

It finished 1-1, a point that moved both sides closer to safety. Exeter City are back in action on Easter Monday when they travel to Cheltenham Town. The Grecians are back at home next Saturday when Stevenage visit St James Park.

Exeter City: Vil Sinisalo, Pierce Sweeney, Will Aimson, Ben Purrington (Cheick Diabate, 77), Ilmari Niskanen, Tom Carroll, Ryan Woods, Yanic Wildschut (Dion Rankine, 71), Jack Aitchison (Millenic Alli, 71), Luke Harris (Reece Cole, 85), Sonny Cox (Mo Eisa,77)

Subs: Shaun McDonald, Jack Fitzwater,

Booking: Woods

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