City nearly doubled their lead from a corner moments later, but this time Cole’s corner from the opposite side was fed low into the box, but Jack McMillan’s half-volley was blocked.

Northampton began to grow into the game from there on. Pierce Sweeney had to get a strong leg behind Mitch Pinnock’s low shot from the edge of City’s box to clear it away, and then Whitworth comfortably caught Matt Dibley-Dias’ free-kick from 25 yards.

This period of pressure gave the Cobblers a boost in confidence as they began to press more aggressively. City’s back four stood firm, each making key blocks. One shot that did manage to breach the defensive wall came from Callum Morton, who’s spinning effort from the edge of the box tricked some home fans into thinking it had found the net, only to drift wide.

Morton continued to be a thorn in City’s side, winning a free-kick just outside the penalty area after being caught by Ed Francis' high foot. Following a lengthy delay for treatment, Sam Hoskins’ free-kick was ultimately sent into the stands.

City responded with by going long again on the left before the half’s end. The first ball found Alli who won an inconsequential corner, before the second was flicked to Aitchison, who’s cross found Niskanen but the Fin’s shot went wide.

Second Half

The second half began slowly, with City dominating the ball and creating several half-chances, most of which were blocked by a stubborn defence before Crama fired a speculative effort from 35 yards well over.

It took 15 minutes for Cobblers stopper Lee Burge to be tested, when Francis picked up a loose ball 20 yards inside City’s half. The Grecians’ number eight immediately played the ball forwards to Josh Magennis who took a touch before passing Alli through. The forward was forced wide but still managed to get a shot off that was held.

Whitworth wasn’t going to get anywhere near Northampton’s next chance. Substitute Tariqe Fosu jinxed past Sweeney and played in Hoskins on Town’s right, but his low cross evaded everyone inside the six-yard box.

However, against the run of play, Northampton equalised. Hoskins played a ball over the top which Whitworth came out to meet, but it was poked through his legs by Morton and the ball trickled over the line.

In response, Gary Caldwell brought on Brighton loanee Kamari Doyle for his debut, who almost made an immediate impact. Found inside the penalty area, Doyle sent a low shot towards the bottom corner which the keeper had to palm round the post, but the corner was cleared. 

City were left to rue these chances when Cameron McGeehan put the Cobblers ahead in the 77^th minute. Fosu nicked the ball back of Jack McMillan when he thought he had won it in the penalty area, and then laid it off to Guthrie. Guthrie swing a ball over the top of Exeter’s defence for McGeehan to launch into the roof of the net. 

Following that, City struggled to create a clear-cut chance to equalise, and the Cobblers finished the match with a swinging shot that sailed over Whitworth’s bar before the full-time whistle sounded. 

Northampton Town: Burge, McGowan (Odimayo), Guthrie ©, Willis (Baldwin), Hoskins, Fox, Pinnock, Dibley-Dias (Fosu), McGeehan, Mbete, Morton

Substitutes: Tzanev, Wilson, Koiki, Odimayo, Hondermarck, Fosu, Baldwin

Exeter City: Whitworth, Niskanen, Sweeney, Crama, Yfeko, McMillan (Purrington), Francis, Cole (Doyle), Aitchison, Alli, Magennis

Substitutes: MacDonald, Purrington, Fitzwater, Doyle, Diabate, Oakes, Borges

Attendance: 5981 (490 away)


Football League Youth Alliance 
Exeter v AFC Wimbledon 

Match Report 
Exeter City 3 AFC Wimbledon 4

A late AFC Wimbledon comeback denied City's under-18s their first win of the season in an entertaining game at the Cliff Hill Training Ground.

Despite falling behind early, the young Grecians rallied with two goals from Theo Cutler, sandwiched around a clever lob by Santino Ohanaka, to take a 3-1 lead midway through the second half. However, AFC Wimbledon staged a late comeback, taking advantage of a disjointed City team and securing a dramatic late winner in stoppage time.

Manager Nicky Ajose named Jacca Cavandish as his captain, in just his second game back starting from an ACL injury. The only change to the starting lineup from last week's defeat to Gillingham saw Tobias Alsop replace Liam Oakes, who was called up to the first team squad at Northampton.

The game couldn't have started any worse for the young Grecians as they found themselves a goal down in the opening five minutes. 

Despite that early setback, City responded well by playing composed football out from the back. Centre-backs Cavandish and Jack Anthony linked up well with Harry Crees, who was holding in midfield, to build play well from defence.

That good play created the perfect opportunity for Theo Cutler to equalise. Goalkeeper Dan Layer began a passing move that found Santino Ohanaka on the right. The winger flashed a first-time cross into the box for Cuter who tucked the ball away past the Wombles goalkeeper.

City then turned the match on its head before half-time through their high pressing. Ohanaka won the ball back and, spotting the Dons' keeper out of position, lofted a skillful shot over the stranded stopper to give the Grecians the lead at the break.

However, due to injury and early-season workload management, Nicky Ajose was forced into making a couple of substitutions after the restarted which disrupted City's rhythm. 

The Grecians' midfield couldn't quite dominate the ball as they would've liked to, resulting in a longer, more direct, style of play. That stretched the game and played into the visitor's hands, allowing the Dons to get on top and create some decent chances, which were defended well by City.

Digging in, Layer kept City's lead intact with several good saves while Cutler upfront pressed vigorously, making himself a real handful for Wimbledon's backline which resulted in him nabbing a second goal.

With the ball at the Wombles' goalkeeper's feet, Cutler pressed and won the ball off him and finished from 20 yards to put City 3-1 up.

However, City still lacked that control which allowed the visitors to build up pressure on City's net towards the back end of the game. Two late goals brought the score level before the Dons nicked a winner at the death in injury time.

Despite the disappointment of losing in that manner, the young Grecians' management praised the character and spirit shown in a challenging second half to fight against a physical AFC Wimbledon team.

Attention now turns to the Devon Derby, as City host Plymouth Argyle's under-18s this Saturday.

Exeter City: Layer, Cartwright, Alsop, Anthony, Cavendish (c), Crees, Ohanaka, Birch, Cutler, Graham, Williams

Substitutes: Shanahan, Hodges, Rickhuss, Bellotti, Aston