Exeter City were left frustrated as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Crawley Town at St James Park.
By Ben Strange

In an entertaining match, the hosts took the lead when Enzio Boldewijn got free down the right and fired in, before Jayden Stockley levelled later in the first half.

The Grecians then went ahead in the second half when Stockley claimed his second of the game with a smart finish. But a determined Crawley side, to their credit, came back into the game and made the score 2-2 later on in the second period through Josh Yorwerth.

Despite City creating a number of chances, Glenn Morris made some vital saves as City remain fourth in Sky Bet League Two, within one point of Wycombe Wanderers in third.

The Grecians made one change from Tuesday night’s win over Chesterfield with Matt Jay introduced to the starting line-up in place of Robbie Simpson, as City looked to maintain their automatic promotion push.

City started on the front foot and created a good chance on six minutes when Jordan Storey stayed upfield from a free-kick. The youngster did well to make a nuisance of himself in the box as the ball came off him to fall into the path of Jake Taylor, but his powerful effort was well saved by Glenn Morris.

Taylor was to have another opportunity just five minutes later when good play from Lloyd James on the right saw him cross for Jay, and he played in the City number 25, to have another shot saved by Morris.

Crawley had to wait until the 24th minute for their first attempt at goal when Boldewijn was found centrally before he shot from distance as Christy Pym was forced into a routine save down low.

Lewis Young was next to try his luck from the edge of the box a few minutes later for the visitors when he ran at the City defence before shooting well wide of goal.

The away side would then take the lead on 30 minutes when a cross-field ball found Young, who played a delicate touch into the path of Boldewijn, who finished low past Pym to put the Red Devils ahead.

The Grecians then found themselves level shortly after, in somewhat debateable circumstances, when Hiram Boateng won the ball back for City and played in Lloyd James, whose shot was blocked on the line, and Stockley teed himself up to volley at goal. And despite Morris getting a strong hand to it, the ball squirmed just over the line as City drew level going into the break.

City looked much the more likely from the start of the second half and went ahead just before the hour mark when Jordan Tillson helped on a City corner into the path of Stockley, who controlled well, before rifling the ball past Morris to the put the Grecians ahead.

Mark Randall had an attempt a couple of minutes after the City goal when the ball was laid to him on the outside of the box from a corner, and the midfielder struck the ball well, but it edged just wide.

Stockley then went inches from his hat-trick when substitute, Kyle Edwards, drove City upfield and darted past two men before playing in Boateng, who crossed towards the back post, but there was too much pace on it as the City number 11 was unable to connect with the ball at the far post.

But Crawley continued to push forward, and they levelled things on 68 minutes through Yorwerth who popped up at the back post to rise above everyone and head the ball in.

An end to end affair saw the Grecians almost go back in front when Boateng kept the ball alive in the box and teed up Edwards to strike powerfully and force a fantastic save from Morris who tipped the ball over.

Stockley then rattled the crossbar on 78 minutes after more creativity from Edwards as he crossed well, and the City striker did well to find himself a yard of space before thundering against the woodwork as City pressed for that all-important winner.

City began to throw everything at Crawley, and once again they had Morris to thank, when Stockley went through and shot, but the goalkeeper did well to narrow the angle and make an important block as the ball took a deflection and went over the goal.

But it wasn't to be for a City side, who have managed late goals numerous times this season, as they took a point away from the match.

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, James, Tillson, Stockley, Jay (Edwards, 55), Wilson (Simpson, 87), Croll, Taylor, Storey, Boateng

Subs not used: Jones, Archibald-Henville, Harley, Brunt, Seaborne

Booked: James, Wilson

Crawley Town: Morris, Young, Connolly, Boldweijn, Yorwerth, Tajbakhsh, Bulman, Verheydt, Randall (Smith, 78), Sanoh (Doherty, 62), Camara (Roberts, 62)

Subs not used: Mersin, Payne, McNerney

Booked: Boldewijn, Young

Attendance: 3,998 (Inc, 63, away)