3rd April 1973
Football League
Exeter 0-0 Reading

Tony Scott, Exeter City's orthodox winger, jarred an ankle in last night's Division IV goalless draw against Reading at St. James's Park, and looks like missing the City's game at Barnsley on Friday night. Scott limped off in the 64th minute, and today saw the doctor. But manager John Newman said: "At the moment he must be doubtful."

Newman has named a party of 12 players for the Barnsley trip-the 11 who finished the game last night, plus Alan Banks. If Scott has a chance of being fit, he will also travel.

Exeter's draw against Reading must mean that any remote glimmer of hope of possible promotion- and it would have needed miracle, has now gone. Now the City have to take as many points as possible in their remaining games to finish in their best position for nine seasons. Exeter's mounting pressure failed to jolt Reading, who have the best defensive record in the Football League. Reading though, did not play really defensive. They were simply well organised at the back, although their goalkeeper, Steve Death, had an outstanding! game, particularly in the second-half.

The City always had territorial advantage, and they needed a goal to open up the stubborn and tough defence. Exeter did have the odd chance, but overall perhaps they did not get enough into the Reading penalty box. Exeter's effort never ceased. Throughout the second-half, they kept going forward with frequent consistency. Except for a vicious Brian Carnaby volley that flashed inches wide in the 49th minute, and a late header from Percy Freeman, which Allen Clarke took, Read- ing were mainly under pressure In the second-half.
One of Exeter's best chances came to Dick Plumb in the 54th minute. From a throw in, David Gibson crossed. and Plumb moved in but mistimed his header. The ball rebounded back to him, and the City striker hit a 12-yard drive too high. Ten minutes later, substitute Campbell Crawford replaced the injured Scott, and Crawford helped to set up what might have proved to be the winning goal. It was perhaps a lucky escape for Reading. Crawford crossed from the right, and John Neale hit a first-time shot that looked to have goal written ali over it. Death. I think, would have been beaten, but the ball struck a defender, and deflected for a corner.

The first-half was something of a stalemate. Again the City had more of the play, but there was hardly any goalmouth incident. although there were groans when a low and hard cross from Plumb skidded across an empty Reading goalmouth early in the game.

Attendance 3,898.