CITY MAY HAVE GONE FOR A BURTON

Exeter City were held to a 1-1 draw against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium in their penultimate Sky Bet League One encounter of the season.

A week on from a thrilling home encounter against Stockport County that saw Jack Bycroft net an unlikely equaliser in 90+6’ to salvage a valuable point, the Grecians now travelled to the Pirelli Stadium to face Burton Albion in an ever-important game at the bottom part of the Sky Bet League One table.

Before a ball was kicked, Gary Bowyer’s Brewers side sat in 18th place just four points ahead of the Grecians, with both sides undoubtedly looking to go one better from the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at St James Park in March. Timur Tutierov was given the nod to start the game in place of Carlos Mendes Gomes, the Bolton Wanderers loanee rested following weeks of impressive performances.

Kegs Chauke was the first man from either side to try their shooting boots out, with a free kick for the hosts inside five minutes finding the former Grecian on the edge of the box. An ambitious shot outside a packed penalty area, his effort was hit well high and rose over the roof of the stadium.

Jack McMillan would be called upon minutes later when Kyran Lofthouse crossed towards Jake Beesley inside the box, the Scotsman arriving on the scene just in time to get a boot on the ball and send it up-field.

After an opening ten minutes that saw City steadying the ship, the deadlock would be broken in the 13th minute when Ilmari Niskanen pounced on a mistake from Alex Hartridge. The former Grecian crucially misplaced a header, allowing the Fin to slip in behind and run through on goal before slipping the ball underneath Brad Collins and giving City the lead.

Opportunities for the Grecians to solidify their lead came 15 minutes later when Kevin McDonald floated an inviting ball towards the back post, enough to stir the Burton ranks and forcing a scrappy clearance. Danny Andrew picked the ball up on the left flank soon after before coming agonisingly close with a shot that dipped too late and tickled the roof of the net.

After impressing since coming into the squad, Jack Bycroft produced a fine save with 15 minutes left until the break. Jack Armer worked his way into the Grecian box before shooting hard towards the bottom-left corner, fortunately finding only the outstretched glove of the City keeper.

As the hosts looked to regain control of the game as the half wore on, Charlie Webster forced Bycroft into another brace of fantastic stops. An initial curling shot from the left-hand side of the penalty area was pushed away as far as Beesley whose follow-up was again met by the Grecian keeper.

Timur Tutierov combined with Reece Cole late in the half to mount a 2v1 on the Burton backline, unfortunately the Ukrainian was swarmed by the backpedalling defenders and saw his shooting opportunity squandered at the last second. Moments later the referee would draw an end to a half that saw the Grecians pounce on a critical error from the hosts.

Matt Taylor made a change to his side during the break, with midfielder Reece Cole making way for Jack Aitchison. Hoping to improve from his effort in the first half, Chauke was given another opportunity to get a shot off following a deflection from a free-kick just minutes in. While the former Grecia managed to keep his shot low this time, Bycroft was able to read the effort perfectly and save with ease.

Ten minutes later and the hosts afforded themselves another promising chance as they worked the ball into the box, forcing Andrew to clear the ball from danger as it was drilled towards goal and looked destined to find the back of the net.

With the low sun now hampering the Grecians in the way it had done for the Brewers in the first half, a barrage of pressure grew with more and more chances being created for the home team.

The pressure finally told in the 61st minute when Jasper Moon rose high at the far post to meet one of the many crosses into the box and head home to equalise and shift the momentum of the game entirely.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, McMillan again worked hard to storm into the Burton penalty area and drag the ball back to create an inviting shooting opportunity. Despite a number of City men arriving on the scene, the Brewers defenders likewise appeared to block any shots and clear the ball up-field.

As the home fans ramped up the atmosphere in anticipation of celebrating their confirmation of another season in Sky Bet League One, the Grecians struggled to create any meaningful opportunities. The referee’s whistle came after five minutes of stoppage time, calling an end to the match but not City’s hopes of survival.

With one game left Exeter remain in 21st with 49 points and in the relegation zone with Leyton Orient in 20th with 51, Peterborough with 52 and Burton and Wimbledon on 53 points.

City have 5th placed Bradford City next Saturday afternoon at 3.00pm at St James Park.

This game is the final throw of the dice and it is a massive gamble. Bradford are pushing for points to stay in the play-offs with Stevenage two points behind, Luton and Plymouth are knocking on the door to get in the play-offs or remaining there.

Exeter City must win regardless and hope that Leyton Orient and possibly Peterborough loose to have ANY chance of remaining in League One.

Tough times!